Rights group alleges illegal pushback of two Assam women to Bangladesh, demands probe

Allegations that two women from Assam's Nagaon district were detained by Border Police and subsequently pushed back into Bangladesh have triggered controversy and renewed debate over citizenship rights, constitutional safeguards and due process of law.

The issue was highlighted during a press conference organized by the Ganatantra Suraksha Manch in Juria on June 17. 

The organization alleged that the two women, identified as Mumtaz Begum of Dhing village and Jahanara Khatun of Bogoriguri village under the Rupahihat constituency, were deported before being given the opportunity to fully exhaust the legal remedies available to them.

According to the allegations raised at the press conference, both women had appeared before the Foreigners Tribunal in Juria about a month ago in compliance with an order of the Gauhati High Court. Family members and rights activists claimed that the women had approached the tribunal seeking legal assistance regarding their citizenship status and were attempting to complete the required legal process.

However, they alleged that before the legal proceedings could be concluded, the two women were arrested by Border Police authorities.

The organization further claimed that following their arrest, the women were initially lodged at the Goalpara detention centre. Subsequently, they were allegedly handed over through Border Security Force (BSF) channels and pushed back across the Bangladesh border.

Human rights activists and democratic organizations have alleged that the entire process overlooked the women's constitutional rights, judicial safeguards and opportunities to pursue legal appeals.

Addressing the media, leaders of the Ganatantra Suraksha Manch stated that deporting or pushing back any individual without allowing the completion of legal proceedings and access to all available judicial remedies would be contrary to democratic principles and the rule of law.

They argued that government agencies should exercise greater sensitivity and responsibility while dealing with citizenship-related matters, given the serious consequences such actions can have on individuals and families.

Speakers at the press conference emphasized that every citizen, as well as any person accused of being a foreign national, has the right to legal representation and due process under the Indian Constitution. They demanded an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged deportation of the two women.

The organization further called for action against any officials found to have violated legal procedures and sought clarity regarding the current status and whereabouts of the two women.

Social activists, intellectuals, human rights defenders and concerned citizens who attended the event also expressed concern over the allegations. They stressed that issues related to citizenship must be handled with utmost care and in strict adherence to legal and judicial processes to prevent innocent individuals from becoming victims of administrative errors or procedural lapses.

No detailed official response has yet been issued by the government regarding the allegations. However, the issue has become a major topic of discussion across Juria, Rupahihat and other parts of Nagaon district.

The Ganatantra Suraksha Manch has demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the matter, transparency regarding the fate of the two women and stronger safeguards to protect the rights of individuals involved in citizenship-related proceedings.

The allegations have once again brought questions surrounding citizenship verification, legal protection and human rights into the centre of public discourse in Assam.