The current Delhi Police drive to detect and deport illegal immigrants of Bangladeshi origin is causing harassment to genuine Indian citizens who speak Bengali or come from West Bengal and are, therefor, in a sense, indistinguishable from the Bangladeshi immigrants.
I do not know the criteria the Delhi Police applies to sift grain from the chaff. Perhaps it presumes that the people of a particular persuasion living in a particular area are all Bangladeshis.
In an earlier drive, there were mid-night knocks and people were lined up by religion and then those of a particular persuasion were taken away. This is entirely against the rule of law.
I would suggest a humane approach. A magistrate may be deputed to question the suspects before being detained by the police and the statements on those who claim to be Indian citizens on the basis of their domicile should be checked by reference to the local authorities, before further action is taken.
As you are aware the PUCL has suggested notification of IM(DT) Act in Delhi and setting up of Tribunals which should process such cases.
L.G's Reply, 19 June, 2000
Delhi Police has been directed to undertake identification of Bangladeshi nationals strictly as per the procedure laid down. That entails a verification of the nationality and residence details that are furnished by the individual. The process of verification is thus non-discriminatory and no religious bias has any place in it. We shall keep a constant watch on the process and shall ensure that it remains focussed on deportation of foreign nationals without any discrimination based on their religious persuasion.
Shahabuddin's Response, 25 June, 2000
I thank you for your letter dated 20 June, 2000 regarding the identification of illegal migrants of Bangladesh origin.
The problems lies in the fact that the action of the police is not always in consonance with the letter and spirit of the directions or even in accordance with the law. It has been observed in the press that the people were lined up by religion and that the various documents presented to them by the suspects were torn down. It is, therefore, necessary to have an independent watch on the process of identification.
Even after an illegal migrant of Bangladesh origin is well identified after verification of his claim domicile etc. I imagine it is very difficult and time consuming to deport him to Bangladesh because to the best of my knowledge there is no agreement between the two governments. I would, therefore, like to know whether such persons will be kept in detention till they are accepted by the Bangladesh.
