Rural families 'being harassed' due to restrictions on movement off Indo-Bangla border

By Kirity Roy*

Villagers in the border locality of Seuti-II, Shukarukuti Gram Panchayat in the Cooch Behar district, are facing relentless harassment due to restrictions on the opening of a critical fencing gate. Seuti-II, located near the Indo-Bangladesh border, is home to 43 families, comprising 83 minority Muslim individuals who reside within this fenced area.

These families have lived on their ancestral land for generations and rely on Gate No. 17, managed by the Kushahat B.O.P-C-Company 90 Bn BSF, for essential daily activities. Agriculture and labor are the primary sources of livelihood for the residents of Seuti-II, who cultivate various vegetables on their 380 bighas of agricultural land.

However, the limitations imposed by the fencing gate severely impact their farming practices, economic well-being, and overall quality of life. The restricted access to their homes, fields, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and markets creates significant challenges. According to regulations established by the Government of India's Ministry of Home Affairs, Gate No. 17 was initially permitted to remain open throughout the day. However, over the years, the Border Security Force (BSF) has gradually reduced the opening hours.

Currently, the gate is accessible only three times a day for one hour (from 7 am to 8 am, 11 am to 12 pm, and 4 pm to 5 pm). Additionally, villagers must wait 40 to 50 minutes for their names to be recorded upon entry, often preventing them from utilizing the limited time available.

This situation has led to numerous unfortunate incidents, including adverse effects on children's education, which contributes to school dropouts. Moreover, seriously ill individuals and pregnant women face difficulties reaching healthcare facilities outside the predetermined times.

The confinement these residents experience not only hinders their access to essential services but also distances them from other Indian citizens. Consequently, the socio-economic conditions of these families continue to deteriorate. Gate No. 17 serves as their vital link to the farmers' market via the CPWD road; without it, they are forced to take a longer detour, adding 4 to 5 kilometers to their journey.

On July 26, 2024, the affected families formally appealed to the District Magistrate of Cooch Behar and the Sub-Divisional Officer of Dinhata regarding their dire situation. However, no action has been taken by the authorities. They also communicated their grievances to the BSF Headquarters in Assam on July 31, 2024.

On August 2, 2024, four village members, including Rafik Miyan, were summoned by the BSF for questioning but were reportedly threatened by the Company Commander, who demanded that they withdraw their complaints or face potential criminal charges.

The residents of Seuti-II not only grapple with everyday challenges impacting their livelihoods but also contend with violations of Articles 21 and 19 of the Indian Constitution, which protect the right to life and personal liberty as well as the freedom of movement for all citizens.

Some of the heads of families residing in Seuti-II include Kachim Ali, son of Katiya; Majibar Rahaman, son of Matiya; Hossain Ali Sk., son of Matiya; Rekha Bibi, daughter of Hachim Ali; Jachimuddin Sk., son of Kaltu Md.; Fajle Hoque, son of Md. Ali; Ejaul Hoque, son of Hachim Ali; Hachim Ali, son of Matiya Sk.; Belal Hossain, son of Nur Islam; Jaharul Hoque, son of Jasmat Sk.; and Samsul Hoque, son of Monsur Ali.

The villagers are still awaiting a resolution to their issues, which remain largely ignored. There is an urgent need for intervention, with the following actions required:

Open Gate No. 17 for the entire day (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to facilitate access for villagers.
Ensure that if land is needed for BSF purposes, it must be legally acquired by the government from the respective landowners.
Avoid threatening lawful citizens regarding their grievances.
Provide assistance to villagers in relation to their livelihood and economic situations.
Compensate and rehabilitate all affected individuals to reintegrate them into society.

The National Human Rights Commission should investigate these matters and implement legal measures to support the sustainable livelihoods of the villagers.

---

*Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM). This article is based on the author's representation to the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission

Comments

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

The Vande Mataram debate and the politics of manufactured controversy

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The recent Vande Mataram debate in Parliament was never meant to foster genuine dialogue. Each political party spoke past the other, addressing its own constituency, ensuring that clips went viral rather than contributing to meaningful deliberation. The objective was clear: to construct a Hindutva narrative ahead of the Bengal elections. Predictably, the Lok Sabha will likely expunge the opposition’s “controversial” remarks while retaining blatant inaccuracies voiced by ministers and ruling-party members. The BJP has mastered the art of inserting distortions into parliamentary records to provide them with a veneer of historical legitimacy.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

Epic war against caste system is constitutional responsibility of elected government

Edited by well-known Gujarat Dalit rights leader Martin Macwan, the book, “Bhed-Bharat: An Account of Injustice and Atrocities on Dalits and Adivasis (2014-18)” (available in English and Gujarati*) is a selection of news articles on Dalits and Adivasis (2014-2018) published by Dalit Shakti Prakashan, Ahmedabad. Preface to the book, in which Macwan seeks to answer key questions on why the book is needed today: *** The thought of compiling a book on atrocities on Dalits and thus present an overall Indian picture had occurred to me a long time ago. Absence of such a comprehensive picture is a major reason for a weak social and political consciousness among Dalits as well as non-Dalits. But gradually the idea took a different form. I found that lay readers don’t understand numbers and don’t like to read well-researched articles. The best way to reach out to them was storytelling. As I started writing in Gujarati and sharing the idea of the book with my friends, it occurred to me that while...

The cost of being Indian: How inequality and market logic redefine rights

By Vikas Gupta We, the people of India, are engaged in a daily tryst—read: struggle—for basic human rights. For the seemingly well-to-do, the wish list includes constant water supply, clean air, safe roads, punctual public transportation, and crime-free neighbourhoods. For those further down the ladder, the struggle is starker: food that fills the stomach, water that doesn’t sicken, medicines that don’t kill, houses that don’t flood, habitats at safe distances from polluted streams or garbage piles, and exploitation-free environments in the public institutions they are compelled to navigate.

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

Proposals for Babri Masjid, Ram Temple spark fears of polarisation before West Bengal polls

By A Representative A political debate has emerged in West Bengal following recent announcements about plans for new religious structures in Murshidabad district, including a proposed mosque to be named Babri Masjid and a separate announcement by a BJP leader regarding the construction of a Ram temple in another location within Behrampur.

Search This Blog