Human Chain formed to demonstrate against injustices meted to people in detention camps

When Bengali speaking people throughout the world remembered the supreme sacrifice of eleven Martyrs on the auspicious occasion of Bhasa Sahid Divas, observed every year on 19th May to pay tribute to the brave souls who laid down their lives at Silchar Railway Station in the year 1961 protesting oppressive imposition of Assamese as only state language of Assam an unique protest demonstration was staged in Silchar.

Hundreds of people coming across all walks of life including children formed a silent human chain holding playcards to express their resentment in front of Silchar Central Jail which also serves as Temporary Detention camp detaining alleged foreigners.

The playcards used conveyed the growing resentment on linguistic discrimination, human rights violation in detention camps leading to a rising death toll of detainees, apathy of political leaders and also the unjustified preconditions for release of detainees who have been under captivity for more than three years.
The symbolic protest in a disciplined manner demanded the abolition of detention camp and suo moto verification of documents at proximity of applicants by an independent commission thus expediting the release of the detainees.

Participating in this protest former Vice Chancellor of Assam University Prof. Tapadhir Bhattacharjee said “It is not at all a crime to be born as a Bengali. However the fact remains that the Bengalis are selectively targeted by the state machinery, sometimes in the name of D-Voters and at times in the name of NRC or detention camps”. He said those who are kept inside the Detention camp without trial is illegal. We want to give a message to the society to stay awake and keep others awake against oppression.

Several distinguished individuals from civic society like Advocate Soumen Choudhury , Social Activist Kamal Chakraborty, Rathindra Das echoed the same voice.

The human chain was followed by silent procession by all participants who finally assembled at a field in Narsingtola, Silchar. A street drama was performed by a cultural group “Chorus” on the issue .

The overall programme had no banner or leaders. Call was given to all through social media which led to an spontaneous overwhelming response from the conscious citizen. However, members of
Netaji Subash Chandra Basu Seva Sangstha (NSCBSS) and All Bangali Youth and Students Organisation ( ABYSO) shouldered the initiative personally in this regard.