Migrant verification drive: Civil society group writes to Gurgaon DC, police, NHRC, Haryana chief secretary
In an email sent to the Gurgaon district administration, police commissioner, chief secretary, and the National Human Rights Commission on Thursday, the civil society group alleged illegal detention and deportation of Indian citizens during the ongoing 'Special Talashi Abhiyan'.
The email expressed concern over the detentions reportedly carried out following a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order dated May 2, and a subsequent district administration directive issued on July 18. The operation is aimed at identifying 'illegal immigrants' in Gurgaon.
According to Mehnatkash, the drive has resulted in mass detentions and deportations, disproportionately impacting unorganised migrant workers – particularly citizens from West Bengal and Assam – and members of the Muslim community.
It alleged that raids were being conducted in labour colonies, slums, construction sites, auto stands, and households employing domestic workers.
'Entire families have fled overnight, abandoning their homes, employment, and children's education. Many who have returned to their home states face unemployment, debt, and social stigma. At the same time, employers in Gurugram are reporting acute shortages of workers, severely impacting the informal economy, particularly the domestic work, construction, and service sectors,' the email states.
The organisation further alleged that some detainees have been mistakenly designated 'illegal Bangladeshi immigrants' without proper legal process or investigation, despite subsequent verification by local authorities confirming their Indian citizenship.
The association attributed the situation, in part, to the non-implementation of the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979, which mandates the registration of migrant workers.
It has called for immediate cessation of raids, individualised legal scrutiny of all detentions, and a ban on collective deportations. Additional demands include judicial oversight, rehabilitation for wrongfully deported citizens, compensation for affected families, anti-discrimination police training, and full legal safeguards for internal migrants.
The Gurgaon police had recently said they would round up only 'confirmed Bangladeshis' as part of the verification drive, and added that they had shut four holding facilities that housed suspected foreigners.
The four facilities were at community centres in Badshahpur, Sector 10A, Sector 40, and Sector 1 in Manesar.
'We had completed verification and checking of the suspected foreigners, hence the move. Even earlier, only those who were strong suspects based on missing or discrepancies in documents, or, for example, with Bangladeshi numbers on their phone… were taken to the holding centres and immediately released post verification. Nobody needs to fear or flee,' a police spokesperson said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
21 minutes ago
- India.com
After losing WCL Final to South Africa, Pakistan team banned from playing this league due to...
After losing WCL Final to South Africa, Pakistan team banned from playing this league due to... New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board has imposed a complete ban on future participation in the World Championship of Legends, citing biased behavior by the tournament organizers. The ban comes after the Indian champion team did not play in the league match apart from the semi-final against Pakistan. Let us tell you that the relations between the two countries have become bitter since the Pahalgam attack. Criticism of the decision to give points to Pakistan The PCB also criticized the decision of the World Championship of Legends, in which it awarded points to the team that cancelled the match — both teams had shared the points when India refused to play with Pakistan in the group match and said that it was full of hypocrisy and bias. Questions raised on political interference The board also questioned the selective use of the principle of peace through sports and accused the organisers of interfering with political views and commercial interests in the tournament. The statement came after the 79th Board of Governors meeting of the PCB, held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi. PCB's tough stand The Pakistan team will not play in the WCL in the future. PCB said in a statement, 'The cancellation of WCL matches was not done on the basis of cricketing merit, but to promote a specific nationalistic principle. This sends an unacceptable message to the international sports community. We cannot allow our players to be a part of events where sportsmanship comes under the influence of partisan politics, which undermines the basic essence of sportsmanship and gentlemanly sport.' WCL's apology termed ridiculous After India withdrew from the match against Pakistan Champions, WCL had apologized for hurting sentiments. The statement further said, 'WCL's apology for hurting sentiments, even if ridiculous, inadvertently admits that the cancellation was not based on cricketing merit, but on bowing to a specific nationalistic thinking. This prejudice in the name of sensitivity is unacceptable to the international sports community.' Protecting the spirit of sportsmanship Reiterating its commitment to global cricket and healthy rivalry, the board said it will not allow its players to participate in tournaments that undermine the spirit of sportsmanship.
Hans India
21 minutes ago
- Hans India
Sadhvi Pragya Receives Hero's Welcome In Bhopal Following Malegaon Blast Acquittal, Alleges Congress Conspiracy
Former BJP parliamentarian Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur received an enthusiastic homecoming in Bhopal on Sunday, marking her first return to the Madhya Pradesh capital following her acquittal in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case. The controversial religious leader used the occasion to launch a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of orchestrating a deliberate conspiracy and demanding treason charges against the opposition party. Speaking to media personnel after her arrival, Sadhvi Pragya characterized the recent court verdict that cleared her and six other accused individuals as a decisive rebuke to those who attempted to establish what she termed the "saffron terror" narrative. She expressed satisfaction that the judicial outcome had vindicated her position after seventeen years of legal proceedings. The former Bhopal MP argued that the Congress party's approach to the case was driven by electoral considerations and appeasement politics. She alleged that the opposition party deliberately sought to frame the incident within a "saffron terror" framework to serve its political interests and cater to specific voter demographics. In her most serious allegation, Sadhvi Pragya accused the Congress of engaging in treasonous activities through its handling of the case. She claimed that the party's actions constituted a betrayal of national interests and suggested that appropriate legal action should be pursued against Congress leadership for these alleged offenses. The religious leader elaborated on what she described as systematic persecution of Hindu individuals during the investigation process. She alleged that Congress-led authorities deliberately targeted members of the Hindu community, filing fabricated cases and subjecting them to various forms of harassment as part of a broader political strategy. Reflecting on the tragic incident itself, Sadhvi Pragya referenced the September 29, 2008 explosion in Malegaon that claimed six lives and injured approximately 100 people. The blast, caused by an explosive device attached to a motorcycle, occurred in an area with a significant Muslim population, leading to heightened communal tensions at the time. The case gained national prominence when investigators arrested several individuals associated with Hindu right-wing organizations, prompting some Congress leaders to introduce the controversial "saffron terror" terminology into public discourse. This narrative suggested that Hindu extremist groups posed a significant terrorist threat, a characterization that became a major point of political contention. Last month, a special National Investigation Agency court delivered its verdict, acquitting all seven accused individuals after concluding that the prosecution had failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. This outcome followed years of legal battles and investigations that had become deeply intertwined with national political debates. Sadhvi Pragya used her Bhopal appearance to claim vindication for her longstanding assertions of innocence. She described the acquittal as a triumph of truth and righteousness over what she characterized as false accusations and political manipulation. In particularly serious allegations, the former MP claimed that investigating authorities had subjected her to torture and coercion in attempts to implicate high-profile political figures. She specifically alleged that investigators pressured her to make false statements against current Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to Sadhvi Pragya's account, she resisted these alleged attempts to force her into making fabricated accusations against prominent BJP leaders. She claimed that her refusal to cooperate with what she described as efforts to falsely implicate others resulted in enhanced persecution and mistreatment during her detention. The religious leader, who began her political career through the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student organization affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, portrayed her experience as part of a broader pattern of targeting Hindu activists and organizations. Her statements in Bhopal reflect the continuing political ramifications of the Malegaon case, which has remained a contentious issue in Indian politics for over a decade and a half. The case has been cited by various political parties to support different narratives about terrorism, communalism, and law enforcement practices in India. The enthusiastic reception accorded to Sadhvi Pragya in Bhopal demonstrates the continued support she enjoys among certain sections of the Hindu nationalist movement, despite the controversies that have surrounded her throughout her political career. Her return to public prominence following the acquittal may signal her intention to resume an active role in political discourse and organizational activities.
Hans India
21 minutes ago
- Hans India
B'desh immigrants living illegally sent back: Saini
Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said Bangladeshi infiltrators living illegally in the state are being identified and sent back. In a post on X, he also shared a video clip showing illegal immigrants being sent back. 'Bangladeshi infiltrators living illegally in Haryana are being identified and sent back to Bangladesh through the BSF at the West Bengal border,' Saini said. 'Not a single illegal Bangladeshi infiltrator will be allowed to remain on Haryana's soil. Any activity against the country's security and integrity will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to undermine India's unity,' he added. Last month, during a drive in Gurugram to identify illegal immigrants, Saini said there is no place for Bangladeshi infiltrators in Haryana. He also slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her 'sympathy towards those who breach the country's security'. Banerjee recently alleged that poor Bangla-speaking workers from West Bengal were being harassed, detained and even pushed into Bangladesh by authorities in certain BJP-ruled states, dubbing the incidents as acts of 'linguistic terror'.
