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“My husband is Indian; we know justice will prevail”
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Family Seeks Answers After Deportation of Khairul Islam, Who Maintains Indian Nationality
Footage reportedly filmed in the ‘no man’s land’ along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam’s South Salmara Mankachar district has left Khanam distraught and searching for answers after her husband Khairul Islam was deported to Bangladesh. Speaking from her home in Khandapukhuri, Morigaon district, Khanam said her family is in contact with authorities and has submitted documents proving Islam’s Indian citizenship. She remains hopeful that justice will prevail, reported hindustantimes.com.
Khairul Islam, declared a foreigner by the Foreigners’ Tribunal, was deported despite ongoing legal appeals.
Islam was one of nine people arrested on May 24 by Morigaon police in a crackdown on illegal immigrants identified by the Foreigners’ Tribunal (FT), from which he had been evading deportation.
Declared a foreigner along with his three siblings in 2016, Islam challenged the decision in the Gauhati High Court, which upheld the ruling. He was detained in 2018 but released in 2020 following a Supreme Court order for detainees held over two years.
Police detained Islam under pretense of questioning before deporting him; family contests deportation.
Khanam described how police came to their home on May 23, claiming to have questions and assuring Islam would return soon. However, instead of returning home, he was taken to the Morigaon SP’s office, then to the detention camp at Matia, before being deported. Islam is believed to be one of 14 alleged illegal Bangladeshi nationals sent back to Bangladesh by BSF personnel at the South Salmara Mankachar border. While the BSF confirmed deporting a large group of Bangladeshis after an infiltration attempt, Khanam insists her husband’s Supreme Court appeal was still pending. Police maintain they had clearance for Islam’s deportation but await formalities for his siblings.
Family confident of Islam’s Indian nationality and hopeful for his return.
Khanam expressed full faith in the justice system and divine support, waiting with their two teenage children for his return. “We know he is an Indian, and we have submitted all necessary documents to prove this,” she said, hopeful that her husband will come back soon.