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Treat pre-1971 Bangladeshi settlers as Indians: Meghalaya HC

-The Times of India
 

SHILLONG: In a landmark judgement, the Meghalaya high court has said Bangladeshi nationals who had settled in the state before March 24, 1971, should be treated as Indians and enrolled in the voters' list.

The order came on a petition filed by more than 40 Bangladeshi refugees who were denied enrolment in the electoral roll on the grounds that their citizenship was "doubtful". The refugees from Amjong village in Ri-Bhoi district near the Assam-Meghalaya border had moved the high court after their citizenship certificates were seized by the deputy commissioner.

In his May 15 order, justice S R Sen directed Ri-Bhoi deputy commissioner to return the certificates and enroll the petitioners in the voters' list. Justice Sen said there was an "understanding between" the two countries as to who should be allowed to stay and who should be deported to Bangladesh. "It is clearly understood that the forefathers of the petitioners entered India much before March 24, 1971," he said. "As such, there is no question of deporting them at this stage when they have acquired the right of permanent rehabilitation."

The court also said: "The petitioners are no more Bangladeshi citizens and there is no scope to order their deportation. In such circumstances, it is the duty of the government of Meghalaya as well as the Government of India to give them proper rehabilitation and not disturb their citizenship."