BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 20th August 2024: After an agonizing 37-year separation, Shahjahan alias Bilash, a resident of Sonamura Durgapur, was finally reunited with his family.
Shahjahan had been unjustly detained in Comilla Central Jail in Bangladesh since 1988. Today, at the age of 62, he crossed the Bibi Bazar-Sonamura Srimantpur check post to return home, marking an emotional and long-awaited reunion.
Shahjahan’s nightmare began in late 1988, when he visited a relative’s home in Bangladesh. During the visit, he was arrested by Bangladeshi police under false charges and sentenced to 11 years in prison. However, after completing his sentence, Shahjahan was unlawfully detained for an additional 26 years, bringing his total imprisonment to a staggering 37 years.
His plight came to light only recently, when Mosahid Ali, chairman of the Zara Foundation in Agartala, took the initiative to free him. After extensive efforts and legal measures between both countries, Shahjahan was finally released.
Upon his return, Shahjahan expressed both relief and disbelief. “Today I am reborn,” he said with emotion. “It feels like I have come from hell to heaven.” These words reflect the tremendous hardships he faced, as well as the immense joy of reuniting with his family after nearly four decades.
During his years in jail, Shahjahan missed the birth of his son, who is now grown. His wife, who waited for him all these years, welcomed him back with open arms. The reunion symbolizes hope, resilience, and the endurance of the human spirit in the face of immense adversity.
