Chinese Husband Seeks Missing Wife in Kurigram

A Chinese national has travelled to Kurigram’s Phulbari upazila in northern Bangladesh alleging that his wife has disappeared with around four thousand US dollars and important personal documents, prompting a police inquiry and local concern over the unusual cross-border marriage dispute.

The man, identified as An Hongwei, visited the ancestral home of his Bangladeshi wife in Kashipur union’s Dhorompur village on Monday afternoon. His presence drew significant attention from locals, many of whom gathered at the house after learning that a foreign citizen had arrived in the rural area seeking assistance. He later went to Phulbari Police Station with the help of residents to file a complaint regarding the alleged incident.

Police said An Hongwei met his wife, Morsheda Begum, while she was working at a garment factory in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka. The marriage reportedly took place on 20 April this year through family arrangements after a period of acquaintance and romantic involvement that developed during their time in the capital.

According to local accounts, Morsheda Begum had previously been married about a decade ago to a day labourer from the same village, Abdul Gahur. That marriage ended following domestic discord, and the couple has a daughter aged around eight. The situation added layers of complexity to her subsequent relationship with the Chinese national.

Following the marriage, Morsheda brought her new husband to her village home, which quickly became a subject of local discussion due to the unusual nature of the union. However, the current allegations from the foreign national now present a contrasting narrative, with claims that money and documents have been taken before contact was lost.

A local Union Parishad member, Ferdous Islam, noted that concerns had been raised earlier regarding the relationship, with some villagers suspecting possible complications given her previous marital history. He said the latest allegations have now created confusion within the community, as expectations had been different.

Attempts to contact Morsheda Begum for her version of events were unsuccessful, as multiple mobile phone numbers associated with her remained unreachable. A relative, speaking on condition of anonymity, told প্রথম আলো that she had borrowed some money from her Chinese husband shortly after the marriage, after which communication between them reportedly ceased.

Phulbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahmudul Hasan said that communication difficulties have hindered a clear understanding of the complaint, as the complainant speaks a language that could not be fully interpreted. However, through gestures and limited translation, the nature of the allegations was understood. He added that preliminary information suggests the incident may have taken place in the Savar area, and the complainant has been advised to approach Savar Police Station for further legal steps.

Authorities have not yet confirmed any formal case, and the matter remains under initial review as efforts continue to clarify the sequence of events and establish jurisdiction.