Raiganj, July 8 -- North Dinajpur police allegedly detained a 66-year-old man from Karandighi and initiated steps to hand him over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation to Bangladesh, prompting protests by members of the Voter Adhikar Suraksha Samity (VASS.)
VASS claimed that the detained person, Jalil Ahamed, a resident of Baghbari village in Karandighi block, is an Indian citizen possessing valid identity and land documents. Members of the organisation submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Vivek Kumar on Tuesday, enclosing copies of Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter Identity Card and land deeds belonging to Jalil Ahamed and his father. They demanded his immediate release and warned of a statewide agitation if any attempt was made to deport him.
According to Jalil Ahamed's family members, police picked him up from his residence on June 19 night without informing the family. After searching for him at various places, relatives located him the following day at the holding centre of Dalkhola Police Station. They later met the Superintendent of Police of Islampur Police District on June 25 and produced the original identity documents and land records, but he was not released.
Dulal Rajbanshi, convener of the North Dinajpur unit of the Voter Adhikar Suraksha Samity, alleged that police had begun the process of handing Jalil Ahamed over to the BSF for an illegal pushback to Bangladesh.
He claimed that Ahamed had been casting his vote in every election for more than three decades.
"If not, we will be compelled to launch a statewide movement," added Rajbanshi. Police and district administration are yet to issue an official statement on the allegation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.