Photo : Messenger
Halima Begum, a middle-aged woman, disembarked from a Kuwait Airways flight at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport recently, where she immediately began to scream. Her distressing cries drew the attention of all the airport staff and agencies present. Concerned for her well-being, the Airport Armed Police Battalion intervened and escorted her to their office.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the woman travelled from Lebanon who worked there as a domestic worker and had been sent to Bangladesh with a disturbing mental health. Her erratic behavior indicated signs of distress and confusion. Subsequently, her husband, Farhad Hossain from Manikganj, was contacted and informed about her situation.
In the evening, Farhad rushed to the airport upon learning of his wife's arrival in such a troubled state. He arrived promptly and took charge of her.
Upon arriving at the airport, this correspondent had a conversation with Farhad Hossain to learn more about the situation.
Farhad Hossain recounted that he had initially sent his wife to Lebanon to work as a housekeeper, hoping to bring happiness and stability to their family. He had paid Tk 30,000 for this endeavor. Unfortunately, within six months of her departure, his wife fell ill. Despite this setback, he decided to send her again after relocating to the country.
However, after sending the first two months' salary, communication abruptly ceased. Three months ago, he received a call which informed him of his wife's illness once again and requesting financial assistance to bring her back home. Reluctant to send a large sum of money, Farhad declined. Following this, there was no further communication regarding her condition.
Farhad expressed his disbelief and anguish, never anticipating that his wife would return to the country under such distressing circumstances.
He expressed his confusion and sorrow, stating that he was unaware of his wife's mental health issues this time. Recalling how his wife had left in good health and returned in such a state, he lamented the ordeal she must have endured. Reflecting on his decision to send her abroad for work, he now realised the harsh reality of the situation.
He lamented the lack of concern for the well-being of women working overseas, emphasising the importance of considering the happiness and peace of their loved ones. He questioned the outcome of his decision, pondering what he had gained in exchange for the suffering his wife had endured.
Upon investigation, it became evident that Halima's case was not isolated. Numerous women, like Halima, are now returning from the Middle East traumatised. These women, who ventured abroad seeking family happiness, peace, and financial stability, are returning home mentally deranged due to demonic abuse.
One such woman, named Rozina, arrived at Shahjalal International Airport, similarly disturbed like Halima. She also returned from Lebanon. Upon displaying signs of distress at the airport, airport security examined her passport and sent her to Brahmanbaria. Rozina's family had initially asserted that she was in good health. However, today, she has been rendered mentally disturbed due to the inhuman torture she endured while abroad.
According to sources from the Airport Armed Police, they receive women at the airport every week who have become mentally disturbed after traveling to the Middle East, particularly Lebanon. When these women with disabilities are deported, they are simply put on flights without any communication with their families from the host country. Upon arrival in Dhaka, they exhibit signs of distress. Subsequently, the police take them into custody, verify their passports, and then contact their families to arrange for their return.
Families often refrain from lodging complaints because they lack avenues for recourse. The question of why a healthy, normal woman would become mentally disturbed or deranged after traveling abroad remains a significant mystery.
Airport Armed Police Battalion Additional Superintendent of Police Ziaul Haque Palash stated, "We took Halima into our custody upon hearing her screams after disembarking from the Qatar Airways flight on Sunday morning. Upon verifying her passport, we facilitated her handover to her family with the assistance of Balda Union Parishad member Akbar Ali, in collaboration with the Manikganj Harirampur police station.”
He further mentioned, "We kept her in our office from morning till evening, prioritising the highest humanitarian considerations."
He mentioned that there has been a recent influx of such mentally ill women returning from the Middle East to the country. Specifically, at least three to four women per week arrive from Lebanon with mental health issues.
He expressed surprise at the fact that families are not informed when these women are being repatriated to the country. In such cases, they are returned to their families upon verification of their passports.
The police officer working at the airport expressed concern based on their experience, questioning why a normal woman would develop such mental health issues within 4 to 5 months of going abroad. He emphasised that it indicates she must have endured severe torture that led to her losing her mental balance. The officer stressed the importance of investigating the matter thoroughly to determine the appropriate course of action moving forward.
Messenger/Fameema
