No country for 2 families: Bangladesh calls them ‘traitors’, India ‘infiltrators’

Recalling the incident, Hamid said 12 BSF personnel had “mistakenly” entered Bangladesh when they were spotted by soldiers of the Bangladesh Rifles. Hamid and his relatives had then guided the BSF men back to India, he claimed. “We were thought to be ‘traitors’ for saving ‘infiltrating’ BSF men. Before we could return, we saw our houses at enclave 142 in Seuti Kursha area were razed as a ‘punishment’. Since then, we have been living here at Sahibganj block,” said Hamid. “This land is owned by a Hindu who has been kind enough to let us live. Tomorrow, if he asks us to leave, we have nowhere to go,” he added.

Hamid said he had crossed the border with his two brothers, three sisters, maternal uncle Sobhan Alli Sheikh and his family. With time, the two families had grown and now they were 77 people.

He said that he had written to various administrative authorities in this regard, but to no avail. “I have only received promises, but nothing has happened. My children grew up, they married and have their own children now. Our names were not included in the 2011 Census as well. Even when the exchange of enclaves takes place at midnight, we will be neither Indians nor Bangladeshis,” he said.

“Now that all enclave dwellers who were Bangladeshis are getting Indian citizenship, I feel we should be given the same,” he added.

Hamid said that since he “crossed the border to save BSF men”, the border force had been kind and let him “live in peace” all these years. He also showed certificates from the local gram panchayat, asserting that he crossed over 19 years ago.

Cooch Behar MP Renuka Sinha said Hamid’s case must be considered. “He met me when I visited the area and also showed me the documents. His case is sympathetic and may be considered,” she said.

Cooch Behar District Magistrate P Ulganathan said only the Centre can take a call on the matter.

“The Centre had clearly said that those whose names have not been included in the 2011 Census would not receive any benefit. We have written to the central government about Hamid’s case and also sent the requisite papers. Now, it is up to them to take a call,” he said.