Char Jhaukuthi: A village trapped in its own country, residents appeal to NHRC for justice

By A Representative

The residents of Char Jhaukuthi, a remote island village in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, have made a desperate appeal to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to intervene in their worsening plight. Despite being Indian citizens, these villagers face severe restrictions imposed by the Border Security Force (BSF), leaving them cut off from basic amenities and fundamental rights.

Char Jhaukuthi, located under Balabhut Gram Panchayat, is home to approximately 95 families, predominantly from the OBC and General Caste Muslim community. The village is surrounded by barbed wire fencing and controlled by BSF personnel from Tilai B.O.P, F Company, 148 BN. Residents must produce Aadhaar and voter ID cards to enter or leave their own homes, with their movement, trade, and even social and religious activities dictated by security forces.

Agriculture, the primary occupation of the villagers, has been severely impacted by BSF-imposed restrictions. Farmers are unable to access fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery, making cultivation nearly impossible. Even when they manage to harvest their crops, they are prevented from selling them in the market, leading to economic devastation and forced migration.

The village lacks essential infrastructure, including roads, electricity, drinking water, and sanitation facilities. For nine months of the year, Char Jhaukuthi remains submerged under floodwaters, leaving residents entirely reliant on boats. Education is nearly unattainable, with the nearest primary school 3 km away and literacy rates alarmingly below 5%. Healthcare is non-existent, with no medical facilities available.

Social and religious life in the village is under strict BSF control. Marriages, funerals, and religious gatherings require prior approval, forcing residents into intermarriages within the same families or neighboring villages. Government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana remain inaccessible due to BSF restrictions on transporting construction materials.

The villagers argue that their fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution—including the right to life and livelihood (Article 21), equality (Article 14), freedom of movement (Article 19(1)(d)), education (Article 21A), health (Article 47), and protection against discrimination (Article 15)—are being grossly violated.

In their appeal to the NHRC, the residents have requested:

1. The relocation of BSF personnel to the actual border line instead of inside the village.

2. Government acquisition of village land if required for defense purposes, ensuring due process and fair compensation.

3. An independent inquiry into the issue by an august agency or the district judge.

Human rights activists, including Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), have urged immediate intervention to restore dignity and freedom to the people of Char Jhaukuthi. The NHRC’s response to this urgent plea remains awaited.

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