“Leave Congress-BJP politics; Where is humanity”: Sushmita Dev visits Foreigners Tribunal, questions govt

National president of Mahila Congress and former Silchar MP, Sushmita Dev visited foreigners tribunals in Silchar earlier today. This comes after she distributed sweets and fruits among detainees in the detention camp set up inside the Central Jail in Silchar. Dev said the primary purpose of her visit to the Foreigners’ Tribunal was to take stock of the proceedings.    

“There are more than 19 lakh NRC rejects. Around 4 lakh did not apply while the remaining 15 lakh were rejected. The government is stating that there are 100 FTs and more 200 FTs will be opened. This means 15 lakh individuals will have to depend on 300 FTs so each FT, on average will have to hear 5-6 thousand cases. To finish this process within 120 days the FTs will have to deal with 40-50 cases each every day,” said Dev.

She said that the people of Assam have been suffering for the last five years due to NRC and now they will have to go through the pain of dealing with Tribunals. “In FT 3, which is in Tarapur, since last July they do not have a government pleader. So, the judge is presenting the pieces of evidence and the same judge is passing the judgment. That is the state of Foreigners Tribunal, there are no typists, no bench assistants, no LDAs and hence all are severely understaffed,” she said after visiting the FT.

She questioned the government that in such condition even if a member (judge of the FT) wants to expedite the proceedings will he or she be able to do that. She sighted the case of Maruti Bala Das, against whom there are four cases alleging she is a foreigner. “The lady has gone through a kidney transplant, the government pleader told me that one out of the four cases will be heard today. I won’t question the member or the government pleader, rather would remind the government that it is by the people, of the people and for the people, and this is the state in which the people are,” said Dev with Maruti Bala Das’ son standing next to her.

“Leave Congress-BJP-Politics; Where is humanity,” said she. Adding, “We are at the culminating phase of NRC. This is extremely critical as this when we will get to know who will stay and who will have to go. At this critical stage, I am ensuring that each time I visit Silchar I will take stock of the proceedings in each and every FTs in Silchar.” 

The former MP said that another important aspect that needs immediate attention is the fact that many a time lawers taking care of the FT cases remain absent as they have to be at the district court. She suggested that a special bench of lawyers is the need of the hour.