Deportations ignored basic evidence8217;

MUMBAI, Aug 28: The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government's actual target in its deportation drive was Bengali Muslims, states a fa...

MUMBAI, Aug 28: The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government8217;s actual target in its deportation drive was Bengali Muslims, states a fact-finding report presented by three rights groups.

According to the Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights, Ekta and Women8217;s Research and Action Group, which presented their report at a press conference today, the state government had targeted Bengali Muslims 8220;without taking evidence into consideration8221;. The team visited Bengalipura in Wadala and Ekta Nagar in Dockyard Road, besides speaking to police officials and the magistrate concerned. They backed their allegations by recording personal experiences of those deported and jailed, three of whom were present at the conference.

The report criticised the manner in which the deportations were carried out, stating 8220;Every instance of arrests made by the police, especially those of the CID, involves an overt attempt to terrorise and intimidate the individuals concerned.8221;

The police were also 8220;completely casual8221; in their approach, said CPDR8217;s Eddie Rodrigues. While denying chances of a fair trial to those arrested, they were prompt to declare documents produced by them as false. The fact that most of the victims were illiterate compounded their problems, as they found it difficult to understand what was required of them, the report said.There was also a qualitative difference in the treatment meted out to the residents under the previous Congress government and the present alliance government. According to the residents, it was easier to obtain release during Congress rule, while the situation has considerably worsened now. Stated Abor Ali Sheikh 57, who was present at the conference, the deportees were hoarded into the Kurla-Howrah Express and not given food or water during the course of their two-day journey.

The team is contemplating filing a writ petition asking that the very procedure of deportations be made more transparent and more time be given to residents to prove their citizenship.