ASSAM: DEPLORABILITY OF WOMEN DETAINEES, LOOSE HOLD ON HUMANITY

"Love and compassion are necessities not luxuries, without them humanity cannot survive"

The above mentioned lines by Dalai Lama seems bogus in a world where humanity has been brutally dashed to the last drop. The shuddering of humanity is further confirmed by case studies of detainees well documented by activist Harsh Mander.

Reading the following case of detainee Halima Khatun, you will have a hard time holding on to your tears

Halima Khatun, a middle aged woman has been detained for the last ten years. Initial two years she was kept in Nagaon jail then transferred to Kokrajhar detention centre. Her entire family lives in Potiachapori under Dhing police station in Nagaon district of Assam. Four of her children stay with her husband. Her husband works in a government school as chowkidar. All her children and other family members are Indian citizen, her parents and six siblings are also Indian citizen but she was doubted as illegal immigrant and declared as a Bangladeshi. When she was detained her eldest son was 16 years old. One of her children was suffering from long term health issues during the trial of her case in Foreigners Tribunal. She couldn’t defend her case properly and subsequently she lost the case. The youngest child was with her for sometimes in the detention centre. Later on the detention centre authorities have handed over the child to father. Her family has been trying to get her out from the detention centre. The family members has engaged lawyer and approached Guwahati High Court.

If a woman from a foreign land of Italy can be all powerful of an influential political party in India, manipulating major happenings of India just because of her links with her husband who happens to be an Indian citizen, carrying legacy, then why such discrimination against a layman. Is it just power or money?

"Manuhe Manuhor Babe Jodihe Okonu Navabe " . Thus the above lines by Legendary Bhupen Hazarika is an irony now.