18 March (TSP Bangla) – Residents of the former Bangladeshi enclaves in Cooch Behar have urged the Centre to issue certificates of naturalisation or nationality to formally establish their Indian citizenship, after thousands were placed under “adjudication” following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
On Monday, hundreds of residents marched to the district magistrate’s office, demanding that their names be cleared as voters ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
“Questioning the citizenship of enclave residents again is unconstitutional and undermines our democratic rights. The Election Commission should resolve this immediately so that all eligible residents can vote,” said Chattar Mian, a resident of the former enclave Dakshin Mashaldanga. He added that the Centre should issue official certificates if necessary to recognise their citizenship.
The issue dates back to July 31, 2015, when around 15,000 residents of 51 Bangladeshi enclaves, territories located within India, were integrated into the Indian mainland under the Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh. Following the integration, residents were provided with voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards and other identity documents.
However, concerns have resurfaced after the publication of the preliminary “final” electoral roll on February 28, when nearly 9,000 residents found their names listed under the “under-adjudication” category.
“We became Indian citizens in 2015 and voted in the 2016 Assembly elections. Now, being placed under adjudication has created fear among many of us that we could lose our citizenship and be pushed to Bangladesh,” said Nur Nabi Mia, another resident.
Protesters warned of intensifying their agitation if their demands are not addressed. “We want assurance from the Election Commission that all of us will be able to vote in the upcoming elections. If our names are not included in the supplementary list after adjudication, we will return to the streets,” said Jainal Abedin, a resident of a former enclave now part of Dinhata.
