Batchu Sheikh, a 'Declared Foreigner' Out on Bail, Threatens to Commit Suicide

Goalpara, September 1, 2019:

39 years old Batchu Ali, alias Batchu Sheikh, is a 'declared foreigner' in Assam. He was picked up randomly as a suspected Bangladeshi national in the year 2015.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, Batchu said that he was picked up without any prior information. "Following this I made appeal at the Foreigners' Tribunal, which I lost, and appealed the High Court. After that, I got bail, and again, the FT called me for seven consecutive hearings."

Batsu informed that following this hearing, the Magistrate asked him if he is a Bangladeshi. "Ultimately, I was sent to detention camp for the next 3 and half years", he says, with a sigh.

The 39 year-old 'declared foreigner' also informed that he moved to Goalpara in his childhood after his mother had a clash with his father. His mother, Basiran Bew, he informs, is included in the NRC.

He also said his four children, Suna Begum (14), Jasmine Sultana (13), Iman Shab (10) and Keramat Ali (6) all find their names excluded from the final NRC draft.

Helpless Batchu expressing grief over the situation, quoted, " If things prevail like this, I will have to commit suicide. Now, I lack any sense, my mind feels numb.."

Batchu is one among nineteen lakh people in Assam who were excluded from the final draft which was published on Saturday. These blacklisted people now have 120 days to appeal to the Foreigners' Tribunals, where their fates will now be decided.

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