Shillong, May 21: Yet another historic judgement made in favor of the Bangladesh nationals by the Meghalaya High Court stating that Bangladesh nationals who have settled in this north eastern state before March 24, 1971 should be treated as Indians and also be enrolled in the voters’ list.
Based on a petition put forward by over 40 refugees from Bangladesh, who was denied enrollment in the electoral roll by the district administration citing their citizenship was doubtful the judgement was made.
These refugees hailing from Amjong village near the Assam-Meghalaya border in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district moved the High Court after their citizenship certificates were seized by the district Deputy Commissioner Pooja Pandey.
Justice S R Sen, in his May-15 order, directed the district Deputy Commissioner Pooja Pandey to return the seized certificates to the petitioners and enroll them in voters’ list before the next elections.
Justice Sen said there was an understanding between the two countries as to who should be allowed to stay and who should be deported back to Bangladesh.
Justice Sen further said “It is clearly understood that the forefathers of the petitioners entered India much before March 24, 1971. As such there is no question of deporting them at this stage when they have acquired the right of permanent rehabilitation in Amjong village.”
Ruling out that they are Bangladesh citizens, the court said there was no scope for their deportation and directed the state government and the Centre not to disturb them, but to give them proper rehabilitation.(SP News)
