08, Jun 2021 | Debangana Paul

Shanti Basfore, a 60-years-old woman who belongs to a small Dalit Community in Assam, was detained in Kokrajhar jail cum detention centre, 2 years ago.

She is a resident of Ramraikuti, Pt-2 village that falls under the jurisdiction of Agomani police station in Dhubri district. Her home is located only half a kilometer away from the Indo-Bangladesh border, and far away from urban centers.

As per reports, even though she had all valid documents, poverty and lack of education made her fail to appear before the Foreigners’ Tribunals (FT), when she was sent a Notice. She was then declared a foreigner ex parte and sent to the Detention Camp in Kokrajhar.

It may be also mentioned that Shanti’s father, Panjabi Basfore, was a permanent resident of Ward 8 that falls under Police Reserve Dhubri in the same district. He further had his 1956 legacy data in his own name. But after he died, Shanti was married away when she was still in her teens to Badonlal Basfore.

Furthermore, Shanti and her husband Badonlal’s name was also present in the voters’ list.

Despite different challenges, a Human Rights Organisation named Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) stands with the victim’s family.

The CJP State Incharge Nanda Ghosh, Dhubri District Volunteer Motivator Habibul Bepari along with two community volunteers reached to the victim’s family to carry forward the release process and discovered that the victim had enough documents to defend her citizenship.

Luckily, the CJP team were able to collect all the documents of bailors and finally Shanti was released on June 4, after 2 years and 29 days.

The Original piece may be read here