Nongpoh, Jylliew 17: The Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF), one of the premier social organizations express its concern over the verdict dated May 15th, 2014 of Hon’ble Meghalaya High Court which favored the over 40 refugees from Bangladesh residing in Amjong village Ri Bhoi District who were denied enrollment in the election by the District administration citing that their Citizenship was doubtful, based on the petition filed by them.
That the Bangladesh nationals who were settled in the state before March 21, 1971 should be treated as Indians.
That there was an understanding between the two Countries as to who should be allowed to stay and who should be deported back to Bangladesh.
That the District administration should return the seized certificates to the petitioners and enrolled them in the voter list.
The RBYF has got nothing to say against the verdict of the hon’ble Meghalaya High Court but would like to seek the intervention on the verdict by the State Government.
The Bangladesh nationals were rehebilated as refugees during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 for a stipulated time only and not as the permanent residents in the Scheduled (autonomous) area base on the 6th Schedule of Constitution of the Country where the locals tribal population has the right to preserved and protect the land and culture and
Based on the section 13 of the Citizenship act, 1955 and the notification dated New Delhi the 25th. Feb. 2009 from Ministry of Home Affair, Govt. of India, Part VII, section 37 clearly mentions that “A certificate of citizenship in case of doubt under the section 13 may be issued in Form XXXIII and shall be signed by an officer not below the rank of Under Secretary to the Govt. of India”.
If the above are true, then why and how the Hon’ble Meghalaya High Court directed the District administration to returns with out going through the above-mentioned statements and facts in the notification?
So the Federation demands that the State Government should contest against the verdict for the security of the poor tribal population in our own land and should resettle the Bangladesh Nationals elsewhere out of the Autonomous area if the State Govt. is in favour of their citizenship as the Federation has no objection to their Indian citizenship but not in our land as a permanent resident.And the reason behind the increase of the population of Bangladeshi in Amjong village are also due to the migration from the Assam areas during the Nellie Massacre 1983.
The RBYF also express its thankful to the MLA of Sohra Constituency Bah Titos Chyne for his concern over the issue who had made him raised in the Assembly but it is sad that as per the replying over the call attention by our hon’ble Chief Minister that the District administration has file the appeal seem to be little concerned by the side of the Government.
The RBYF after knowing the fact over the call attention in the Assembly through the esteem news paper today dated 17-06-14 has immediately met the Additional District Commissioner who is also the PIO of the Ri Bhoi District to seek the information as mention that the DC Office Ri Bhoi has appeal against the verdict.
The RBYF also will move ahead in seeking the information that make “Pre-1971 Bangladeshi settlers are Indians”: verdict of Meghalaya High Court dated May 15th.2014. by collecting more information through RTI Act to the Political Dept. of the State Govt. and also from the KHADC and Syiem Khyriem and the future action will be taken after a clear picture come out through the above RTI.(SP News)
