Complaint Registered at National Human Rights Commission against Death of 'Declared Foreigner' Dulal Paul

Guwahati, October 18, 2019:

A complaint has been registered at the National Human Rights Commission against the death of Dulal Paul, a 'declared foreigner', in a detention camp of Assam. The complaint has been lodged by a senior journalist of Assam, Manas Roy.

It may be mentioned here that 65-year-old Dulal Paul, a resident of Alisinga in Assam’s Dhekiajuli, was declared as a ‘Bangladeshi national’ in 2017 after his land documents from 1965 were not accepted. He was suffering from multiple ailments and was admitted to the hospital on September 28.

Also Read: Assam's Detention Camp Death: ‘Declared Foreigner’ Body Yet to Be Disposed

Paul died in the detention camp in Sonitpur on October 13. His family has also refused to accept his dead body until and unless he is declared Indian. If not, his son has asked the state government to send his body to Bangladesh.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, complainant Manas Roy said, “There has been a human rights violation in the case of Dulal Paul because despite having all the valid documents, he was thrown into the detention camp. As a citizen of India, he didn't get the opportunity to exercise his rights. Also, the authorities did not go for his proper treatment, so he had to die. Despite being an Indian, he had to die as a foreigner in his own country."

Also Read: Declared Foreigner Dies in Detention Camp, Grieving Family Demands Assam Govt to Send His Body to Bangladesh

It may be mentioned here that the complaint has been lodged against the violation of Article 21. The objective of the fundamental right under Article 21 is to prevent encroachment upon personal liberty and deprivation of life except according to the procedure established by law.

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