Declared foreigner, Dalit Hindu lies handcuffed in Assam civil hospital, "battling" for life

By Our Representative
In a disturbing revelation, Ratan Chandra Biswas, a Dalit Hindu, declared a "foreigner" by the National Register of Citizens, is lying handcuffed in Assam’s Goalpara Civil Hospital. Bringing this to light, a human rights site, Sabrang India, reports, he has been found “battling for his life, emaciated and shivering”, pointing out, “His condition is a bitter testimony to the ghastly conditions in Assam 's six detention camps, where over 2,000 persons are estimated to be have been incarcerated.”
Biswas is son of Ananda Chandra Biswas, received a “doubtful foreigners” notice about two years and eight months back. A resident of Gerukabari Village under Manikpur Police Station of Bongaigaon district, he panicked. After receiving the new status, he tried communicating to a local Police Station through a 'middle man'. He paid Rs 500 for the favour. There was no help or clarity forthcoming. Three months later he was arrested and sent to the Goalpara Detention Camp.
At the time of detention, Biswas had complaints. His condition, however, started deteriorating soon after detention. Finally, after prolonged illnesses he was admitted to the Goalpara Civil Hospital, where he lies handcuffed for treatment. A shivering and traumatised Biswas said, on video, “I have studied up to class six. My grandfather's name is in the 1966 Voters list. There is a small piece of land in my father's name. Though I am an Indian Citizen, I have been forced inside a detention camp for the last 2 years and five months.”

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