NHRC urged to intervene in severe human rights violations at Indo-Bangladesh border village

By A Representative 

A serious human rights crisis has been reported in East Sahebganj (North Part), a village located near the Indo-Bangladesh border in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been urged to take immediate action against the restrictions imposed by the Border Security Force (BSF), which have severely impacted the lives of 101 residents of the village.

Human rights organization Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), through its Secretary Kirity Roy, has submitted a detailed complaint highlighting the extreme hardships faced by the villagers due to BSF-imposed restrictions. The village, enclosed by barbed wire fencing, is accessible to the rest of India only through a BSF-controlled gate that opens for just three short intervals daily. This has left residents effectively trapped within their own country, with limited access to healthcare, education, markets, and essential services.

According to the complaint, movement restrictions have turned routine activities into major challenges. Farmers face arbitrary restrictions on crop cultivation, leading to economic distress. The village lacks basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities. In emergencies, residents struggle to reach hospitals due to the BSF's rigid gate-opening schedule. Children’s education has also suffered, as they are unable to attend school regularly due to movement restrictions.

The complaint further alleges that the BSF, instead of being deployed at the zero-point of the border, is stationed inside Indian territory, leaving the village vulnerable to security threats from across the border. Reports of theft and illegal intrusions from Bangladesh have increased, while the BSF allegedly fails to protect the villagers.

The NHRC has been urged to intervene immediately to restore the fundamental rights of these Indian citizens. The petition demands that the BSF be repositioned at the zero-point of the border and that the government provide basic infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, schools, and electricity.

"The people of East Sahebganj are not criminals and should not be treated as prisoners in their own land," the complaint states, emphasizing that the restrictions violate fundamental constitutional rights, including freedom of movement, the right to life and dignity, and the right to equality.

As the situation worsens, all eyes are on the NHRC to take decisive action to end this human rights crisis.