Elderly Farmer Missing Near India-Bangladesh Border: Allegations of Abduction

An elderly farmer from Assam's Cachar district has reportedly gone missing, with family members alleging he was abducted across the India-Bangladesh border. The incident occurred shortly after the border gate opened for local farmers. Witnesses claim a group of individuals forcibly took Ranjit Das while he was working in the fields. The Border Security Force is coordinating with Bangladeshi authorities to locate him. Family members are appealing for his safe return, and local officials are urging a swift investigation into the matter. The situation remains tense as authorities continue to seek answers regarding his disappearance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 16, 2026, 19:47 IST

Incident Overview

Local residents at the India-Bangladesh border in Kinnarkhal village after farmer abduction allegations (Photo: AT)

Silchar, June 16: An elderly farmer from Cachar district in Assam has reportedly gone missing from a border farming area on Tuesday morning. Family members and witnesses claim he was forcibly taken into Bangladesh, prompting the Border Security Force (BSF) to coordinate with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Details of the Incident

The missing individual has been identified as Ranjit Das, who resides in Kinnarkhal village within the Katigorah constituency. The incident unfolded shortly after the border gate opened around 7 am, allowing local farmers to access agricultural lands beyond the fencing.

Approximately 16 to 17 farmers were reportedly working in the area when the alleged abduction occurred. Ranjit’s younger brother, Kalimohan Das, who claims to have witnessed the event, stated that a group of individuals approached the farmers while they were ploughing.

“While we were ploughing, the equipment malfunctioned, causing a delay. Suddenly, a few individuals appeared and seized him. Before we could react, they took him away forcefully,” Kalimohan recounted.

He further alleged that the assailants threatened Ranjit before dragging him off.

Family's Response

Ranjit’s son, Sujit Das, mentioned that he was informed by villagers around 11 am. “They urged me to come quickly, saying my father had been taken towards Bangladesh. I have had no contact with him, and he is elderly,” Sujit expressed.

The family quickly alerted the BSF, which initiated communication with the BGB to arrange a flag meeting.

Family members reported that there was no immediate response from the Bangladeshi side. Consequently, BSF personnel waited for nearly an hour before deploying a speedboat along the river.

After further discussions, a few individuals from the Bangladesh border reportedly arrived, but no further details were available at the time of this report.

Official Involvement

“We have not received any confirmed information about my father's whereabouts,” Sujit stated, appealing for his father’s safe return.

Katigorah MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha visited the site and stated he had contacted the Chief Secretary of Assam, bringing the issue to the attention of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior BSF officials.

“I urge all relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safe and prompt return of Shri Ranjit Das. During this challenging time, I stand with his family and sincerely hope for his safe return,” he added.

Cachar Superintendent of Police Sanjib Kumar Saikia and other senior officials were present at the scene to assess the situation. As of the time of this report, there was no official confirmation regarding Ranjit’s whereabouts, and the investigation into his disappearance was ongoing.