Minority commission: Dismissed by state as a minor institution

Abdul Mannan (name changed) and 21 other West Bengal natives narrowly escaped the ignominy of being branded Bangladeshis and thrown out of their own country,thanks to intervention by Maharashtra State Minority Commission.

The commission that operates from a 4,000-square-foot office in a bylane near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus ensured Mannan (22) and the others,who spent 99 harrowing days in Thane Jail,walked free at May-end. But many others are not so fortunate. The reason,former and present members said,was erosion of commission authority.