Enrolling 'Biharis' as voters
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
The Election Commission, reportedly, is planning to enroll non-Bengalis, popularly known as 'Biharis', in the new voter's list. The Biharis, who had opted for repatriation to Pakistan soon after the creation of independent Bangladesh, however, would not be enrolled as voters.
But before enrolling other non-Bengalis as voters, the issue relating to their citizenship needs to be settled first. So far we know, by mere birth right any foreigner is not entitled to have Bangladesh citizenship. Most Biharis are now living in camps in Dhaka and other places of the country and leading a miserable life as refugees. The Pakistan government has promised time and again to take back the Biharis who are awaiting repatriation for the last 36 years but failed to keep it. It is unlikely that Pakistan would ever take back these people.
The stranded Pakistanis living in camps are enjoying, rightly or wrongly, certain facilities such as free water, electricity and shelter. They are occupying vast areas of valuable government land in Dhaka and other cities. The camps erected on such land are dirty and unhygienic and are posing a health threat to localities nearby. So, the government should decide its course of action regarding the Biharis living in Bangladesh before enrolling them as voters.
S. Ahmed
Noapara,
Jessore
But before enrolling other non-Bengalis as voters, the issue relating to their citizenship needs to be settled first. So far we know, by mere birth right any foreigner is not entitled to have Bangladesh citizenship. Most Biharis are now living in camps in Dhaka and other places of the country and leading a miserable life as refugees. The Pakistan government has promised time and again to take back the Biharis who are awaiting repatriation for the last 36 years but failed to keep it. It is unlikely that Pakistan would ever take back these people.
The stranded Pakistanis living in camps are enjoying, rightly or wrongly, certain facilities such as free water, electricity and shelter. They are occupying vast areas of valuable government land in Dhaka and other cities. The camps erected on such land are dirty and unhygienic and are posing a health threat to localities nearby. So, the government should decide its course of action regarding the Biharis living in Bangladesh before enrolling them as voters.
S. Ahmed
Noapara,
Jessore