Kolkata: At 3.30 pm when Howrah Express (22832) chugged into Howrah Station, a protest erupted in the station. Human Right Activists were seen holding placards stating – “Why is West Bengal Government supporting illegal push back?”; “Immediately stop the illegal and inhuman push back of Bangladeshi” and “Just because they are Bangladeshi, doesn’t mean that you can illegally pushback these people.”

The train in question has brought in 59 detainees, all allegedly Bangladeshis from Karnataka, escorted by 30 police officials, to be deported back to their country.

According to an India Today report, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao, said, “We had confirmed data/information about the presence of these immigrants in the city. Hence, we followed up and conducted this operation, identified them and took them into custody. The police have decided not to file cases because then these illegal people will spend time in local jails in the city rather they are seeking deportation orders at the earliest.”

And it is this point – police not filing a case against the alleged illegal migrants, that the human right activists in Kolkata are objecting to.

He does, have a point, according to earlier media reports, 61 detainees were to reach Kolkata, however, only 59 reached. Some of the immigrants were seen raising questions about the two detainees, kept back in Karnataka – one a minor boy and the other a girl called Roshan Ara.

Speaking to eNewsroom, Altaf Ahmed, Assistant Secretary, Association for Protection of Democratic Rights, said, “The fact that these Bengali speaking people are being sent back to Bangladesh, without any legal work or documentation is illegal.” According to Human Right Activists, out of the 59 people, 15 are minors, while 25 are women and remaining men.

When asked, what would the legal procedure be, he replied, ” Going by what the Karnata Police is claiming that these 59 people who have been brought to Kolkata are Bangladeshi nationals, then a case should be registered against them and the entire procedure should be documented. This is needed to keep a total headcount of those being sent back. With no proper paperwork, there is a huge risk of trafficking involved.”

He does, have a point, according to earlier media reports, 61 detainees were to reach Kolkata, however, only 59 reached. Some of the immigrants were seen raising questions about the two detainees, kept back in Karnataka – one a minor boy and the other a girl called Roshan Ara.

Ahmed, claimed, “This deportation was clandestinely taking place. However, a tip-off made us come over here. We have even filed a proper FIR with the GRP demanding a proper procedure to access the nationality of these people, some of whom even have Adhaar cards. This needs to done so that these individuals are safely sent back to where ever they belong.”

Interestingly, the detainees along with Karnataka Police had to wait from 3:30 pm till 9:30 pm, to decide on the next move. According to a source, Howrah DM has taken the initiative to provide accommodation to these people, however, there is no clarity on where they would be housed in – a home or jail.

B.M Jamal Hossain, Head of Chancery, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission Kolkata to know about the same. Hossain, said, “We have no official communication on this case either by the Karnataka or West Bengal Government. However, we have come to know regarding this case from other sources.”

There seems to be a sense of fear among the 59 detainees, who are clueless of their immediate future – of being sent back to Bangladesh or detention centre.

Meanwhile, eNewsroom contacted B.M Jamal Hossain, Head of Chancery, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission Kolkata to know about the same. Hossain, said, “We have no official communication on this case either by the Karnataka or West Bengal Government. However, we have come to know regarding this case from other sources.”

On being asked if they would be doing anything to help the detainees, he said, “If the government of India officially contacts us regarding the same, then we will follow the prescribed procedure to have them verified. If we find that they indeed are Bangladeshi citizens, then we will have them sent back.”

He then added that this deportation or branding of people as Bangladeshi needs to be done officially and legally.

Courtesy: eNewsroom

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