From Expulsion to Despair: An Assam Woman’s Struggle After Forced Return from Bangladesh

Amina Begum, a 68-year-old woman from the Barpeta district of Assam, reflects the harsh realities faced by many after being forcefully expelled from India. As I entered her modest home, I found her struggling to rise from her bed, attempting to greet me despite her frailty. The stark contrast from my previous visit in June last year was evident; back then, she was vibrant and full of life, but now she is largely confined to her bed, unable to walk without assistance.

Begum’s physical decline can be traced back to a traumatic incident that unfolded a year ago. During a heightened operation against undocumented migrants, she was forcibly “pushed back” into Bangladesh by Indian authorities in a chilling midnight raid. Reports indicate that around 300 residents from Assam have faced similar fates, which has sparked widespread concern about human rights violations and the treatment of migrants.

After enduring a month of hardship in Bangladesh, Begum managed to return to her village, aided by local residents who crossed borders to provide assistance. However, her return has not marked the end of her struggles. Her husband, Ajmal Khan, noted that since their return, Begum has been in a state of decline—physically and mentally. Her once-bright eyes now reflect a deep sorrow and hopelessness, as memories of her experiences haunt her daily.

The trauma of her expulsion and the subsequent ordeal has left her emotionally and physically drained. Khan describes the transformations in her personality and health with a heavy heart, expressing frustration over the circumstances that led to their ordeal. Their plight is emblematic of the broader issues facing many families in Assam, where the nexus of migration, identity, and state policy creates a precarious existence.

As the Indian government continues to tighten its immigration policies and conduct operations aimed at undocumented migrants, stories like that of Amina Begum serve as poignant reminders of the human cost of such actions. The emotional and physical toll on individuals like her not only highlights the immediate fallout of expulsion but also raises critical questions about the rights and dignity of those who find themselves caught in the crossfire of such policies.

Source: scroll.in