Author:
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 3, 2003
Inside the dimly-lit last bogie
of the Howrah Express, three elderly men sit, handcuffed. Surrounded by
policemen, they get ready for their journey back home on Saturday night,
to the border and then further into Bangladesh.
Outside, it's a determined rush
for space on the Calcutta-bound train. Crowds swarm the general compartment
as men jostle, trying to occupy every available inch.
The trio being deported - Abdul
Gafoor (55), Abu Tahir (50) and Bashar Haq (35) - lived in Santacruz. While
Gafoor and Haq arrived from Bangladesh five months ago, Tahir says he has
been here since June. "We lived in a mosque in Santacruz and worked there
as cleaners," Tahir says. They earned between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 a month.
Gafoor, Tahir and Haq were arrested
in November 2000 and placed in police custody after it was established
that they were illegal immigrants. "We are being sent back because we came
here to make money," Haq says, with a shy smile. "We'll work on our farms
in Naukhali and won't return," he adds.
"There was some oral communication
from the BSF saying, in view of the mounting tension along the border,
illegal immigrants should not be deported until further orders. However,
in the absence of any communication from the Centre, we will continue deporting
illegal immigrants," a senior official says.