Pavitra Chandra hails from a poor family in Gopalpur, Tangail. He was a carpenter by profession, his income was small. With some money from the sale of his wife's gold ornaments and a loan from a private company and local moneylenders, he moved to Russia in search of fortune. 30 Bangladeshi citizens including him were forcibly sent to the Russia-Ukraine war zone even though they were taken to the country on the promise of work. The family received word from surviving companions that the saint had died on the battlefield; But the family is now haunted by the bereavement and the continued pursuit of creditors.
This is not just the story of Pavitra Chandra's family. The situation is more or less the same for the families of 30 young men who were tricked into going to Russia for work. Out of these 30 people, 20 including Pavita have been reported dead. Two were injured and are undergoing treatment at a Russian hospital. Two managed to return home. The remaining six are still forced to fight on the battlefield.
In a press conference on October 14, the Special Response Battalion (SRB) said that on May 7, 30 Bangladeshis went to Russia through three organizations named Jabale Noor, RS International and TS Group. An average of 10 lakh taka was taken from each of them for work in construction companies. After reaching Russia, they were handed over to the Russian army, their passports and mobile phones were confiscated without being given the promised jobs. Then, after 21 days of military training, they were brought down to the Russia-Ukraine battlefield.
17 out of 30 people died in drone strikes on the first day. Later three more died at different times.
30-year-old Pavitra Chandra has two daughters aged six and eight. After hearing the news of his death, his wife suffered from mental problems. Sometimes laugh, sometimes cry. Pavitra went to Russia with Tk 130,000 from the sale of his wife's jewelry and a loan of Tk 9.5 lakh from a private organization and local moneylenders.
Pativar's sister-in-law Tapan Chandra Sutradhar told Prothom Alo that the family was in contact with him a few days after arriving in Russia. He then said that some people including him have been kept in a hotel, they will be given work after the documents are fixed. After being out of touch for some time, he called his family members on May 29 and said, "We are being forcibly taken to war, there is a 95% chance of death."
After that he contacted the Bangladesh Embassy and requested to arrange for him and others to be brought back to the country. He also apologized to everyone in the house for his mistakes.
Later the family came to know about his death through his companions. However, the family has not yet confirmed the news through the embassy or any government agency. Sister-in-law Tapan Chandra said, "The family is in such a situation that when they sit down to eat rice, the lenders come back for money." Now the remaining 3 percent land is being considered for sale; But even then the debt will not be paid. But the family's last hope—Pavitra may survive.'
Robin Mir used to drive an autorickshaw in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj. Besides selling village land and cattle, he also went to Russia to work on loan. Three others from Narayanganj went with him. Through them, the family got the news of Robin's death.
Rabin Mir's nephew Rahat Chowdhury told Prothom Alo that for the first three to four days after going to Russia, uncle was given good food and was also rotated. After that, no information was available for five or six days. Later on May 15, he said that they are being employed. Then the communication stopped again. In a video on May 17, the uncle is seen at an army camp. On May 29, the uncle called and cried, "They took us through the deep forest and sold us for work." This was the last thing the uncle said to him.
Rahat Chowdhury said that his uncle's wife and two children are now passing their days in a miserable condition. Among the two children, the daughter is 9 years old and the son is 5 years old. Creditors keep calling, asking for advice. After eating one meal, they do not have enough food the next meal.
Prothom Alo spoke to the family members of 7 of the 30 Bangladeshis who went to Russia apart from Pavitra and Rahat. Almost all the families are low class.
According to information received from the families, the other 18 killed in the battle are Sohail, Md. Mehdi Hasan, Md. Al Mamun, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Md. Nazmul Alam, Md. Wasim Akram, Md. Arif Hossain, Md. Saeed Mollah, Tariqul Islam Mintu, Sabbir Hossain, Mofiz, Md. Arman Ali, Md. Nazrul Islam, Md. Aminur Islam, Kazi Rezaul Karim, Main Uddin, Ripon Hossain and Arif Hossain Patwari.
Among the 30 cheated Bangladeshis, Rajon Hossain and Adnan Hossain managed to return to Bangladesh; And Palash Sheikh and Ali Hasan Sohail were injured and undergoing treatment in a Russian hospital.
Roni Sheikh of Gopalganj, Al Amin Islam of Lalmonirhat, Sourav Molla of Gopalganj, Kamal Hossain of Madaripur, Abu Hanif of Kishoreganj and Helal Sheikh of Madaripur - these six are still fighting in Russia-Ukraine war zone. Some of them are also in contact with their families.
