'Prisoners in their own homeland': Human rights body urged to act on border village plight

By A Representative 

Kirity Roy, Secretary of the Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), has made an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), shedding light on the extreme hardships faced by residents of South Jhowkuthi, a small village near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.

In a detailed letter addressed to the NHRC Chairperson, Roy described the plight of nearly 35 families living under virtual house arrest, surrounded by barbed wire fencing and subject to stringent controls by the Border Security Force (BSF). He alleged that these Indian citizens are denied access to basic rights such as healthcare, education, free movement, and economic opportunities.

"These people are not criminals, nor illegal immigrants—they are rightful Indian citizens, yet they are treated as outsiders on their own soil," said Kirity Roy in the letter. "Their suffering must not remain unseen, and their voices must be heard."

Roy highlighted that villagers can only leave or enter through Gate No. 17 at three limited time slots daily, and even emergencies like medical crises are subject to BSF permissions. He cited this as a violation of Article 19(1)(d) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to move freely throughout the territory of India.

The restrictions have also crippled the local economy, particularly agriculture—once the primary source of livelihood. Farmers reportedly face hurdles at every step, from accessing fertilizers and equipment to selling their produce, often having to seek BSF approval.

Lack of basic infrastructure—no roads, healthcare, sanitation, or schools—further compounds their misery. Women and girls are especially vulnerable, forced to practice open defecation due to the absence of toilets, and children are dropping out of school due to conflicting gate schedules.

"The villagers of South Jhowkuthi have suffered in silence for far too long," Roy wrote. "Their fundamental rights have been stripped away, their voices ignored, and their dignity trampled."

Calling for an immediate independent inquiry, Roy urged the NHRC to direct civil and border authorities to remove arbitrary restrictions and ensure basic facilities under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) are implemented without delay.

He concluded with a pointed remark: "BSF should be posted at the India–Bangladesh border, not outside the village fence."