A young Indian woman who crossed the border into Bangladesh in pursuit of love has been sent back to India through a flag meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

Riya Moni, also known as Ringki, hails from Korai Bari village under Malbazar police station in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal. She is the daughter of Abdur Rahim and a second-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) student at Maynaguri College.

According to reports, Riya had been in a relationship with Rabi, 24, the son of Aminur Rahman from Thanapara in Patgram municipality, Lalmonirhat, after meeting him on Facebook about a year and a half ago.

On September 6, she left her college in Maynaguri and, with the assistance of local smugglers, entered Bangladesh through the Lalmonirhat border. However, soon after her arrival, Rabi allegedly fled from his home, leaving her stranded.

Finding herself in distress, Riya sought shelter at the home of relatives residing in Bangladesh.

Speaking to reporters, Riya said, “I got to know Rabi through Facebook. After that, we became emotionally attached. After a year and a half of love, Rabi asked me to come to Bangladesh. He brought me here in various ways. After I arrived, he told me he would not marry me. I was left helpless and took refuge at a relative’s house in Bangladesh.”

She alleged, “Rabi lured me into a love trap and brought me to Bangladesh with the intention of trafficking me to another country. I want justice from the Bangladeshi authorities.”

On Saturday afternoon, following instructions from higher authorities, the BGB handed Riya over to the BSF through a flag meeting at the Burimari land port, said Shahjahan, sub-inspector at Patgram Police Station.