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

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Kolkata dialogue flags policy and finance deficit in wetland sustainability

By A Representative Wetlands were the focus of India–Germany climate talks in Kolkata, where experts from government, business, and civil society stressed both their ecological importance and the urgent need for stronger conservation frameworks.

'Fraudulent': Ex-civil servants urge President to halt Odisha tribal land dispossession

By A Representative A collective of 81 retired civil servants from the Constitutional Conduct Group has written to the President of India expressing alarm over what they describe as the wrongful dispossession of tribal lands in Odisha’s Rayagada district. The letter, dated April 19, 2026, highlights violent clashes in Kantamal village where police personnel reportedly injured over 70 tribal residents attempting to protect their community rights.

Dhandhuka violence: Gujarat minority group seeks judicial action, cites targeted arson

By A Representative The Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) Gujarat has written to the Director General of Police seeking judicial action in connection with recent violence in Dhandhuka town of Ahmedabad district, alleging targeted attacks on properties belonging to members of the Muslim community following a fatal altercation between two bike riders on April 18.

Maoist activity in India: Weakening structures, 'shifts' in leadership, strategy and ideology

By Harsh Thakor* Recent statements by government representatives have suggested that Maoism in India has been effectively eliminated, citing the weakening of central leadership and intensified security operations. These claims follow sustained counterinsurgency efforts across key regions, including central and eastern India. However, available information from security agencies and independent observers indicates that while the organizational structure of the CPI (Maoist) has been significantly disrupted, elements of the movement remain active. Reports acknowledge the continued presence of cadres in certain forested regions such as Bastar and parts of Dandakaranya, alongside smaller, decentralized units adapting their operational strategies.

Why link women’s reservation to delimitation? The unspoken political calculus

By Vikas Meshram* April 16, 2026, is likely to be recorded as a special day in the history of Indian democracy. In a three-day special session of Parliament, the central government is set to introduce a comprehensive package of three historic bills: the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Delimitation Bill, 2026; and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The stated purpose of all three is the same: to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Constitutional Amendment) passed in 2023. However, the political intent concealed behind these measures — and their impact on the federal balance — is far more profound. It is absolutely essential to understand this.

From Manesar to Noida: Workers take to streets for bread, media looks away

By Sunil Kumar* Across several states in India, a workers’ movement is gathering momentum. This is not a movement born of luxury or ambition, nor a demand for power-sharing within the state. At its core lies a stark and basic plea: the right to survive with dignity—adequate food, and wages sufficient to afford it.

Catholic union opposes FCRA amendments, warns of threat to Church institutions

By A Representative The All India Catholic Union (AICU) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as growing threats to religious freedom, minority rights, and constitutional safeguards in India, warning that recent policy and legislative trends could undermine the country’s secular and federal framework.

Midnight weeping: The sociology of tragic vision in Badri Narayan’s poetry

By Ravi Ranjan* Badri Narayan, a distinguished Hindi poet and social scientist, occupies a unique position in contemporary Indian intellectual life by bridging the worlds of creative literature and critical social inquiry. His poetic journey began significantly with the 1993 collection 'Saca Sune Hue Kaï Dina Hue' (Truth Heard Many Days Ago). As a social historian and cultural anthropologist, Narayan pioneered a methodological shift away from elite archives toward the oral traditions and folk myths of marginalized communities. He eventually legitimized "folk-ethnography" as a rigorous academic discipline during his tenure as Director of the G.B. Pant Social Science Institute.

Counterview

Search This Blog