In a humanitarian initiative, nine Bangladeshi nationals, including two women, who had been lodged in the transit camp of Central Jail, Amritsar, after completion of their legal formalities, were successfully repatriated to their native country today.
Journey Back Home
The repatriated internees are expected to reach the Bangladesh border after a 30-hour train journey. From there, they will be handed over to the authorities concerned of their native country for further action.
Role of District Legal Services Authority
Jatinder Kaur, District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Amritsar, informed that the repatriation was facilitated through the efforts of Amardeep Singh Bains, Secretary, DLSA, Amritsar. He actively pursued the matter with the authorities concerned to ensure that the internees could return to their homeland and reunite with their families at the earliest.
“Most of these detainees entered India illegally and were caught crossing the border over to Pakistan by the Punjab Police. The process to get them repatriated got delayed last year due to the unrest in Bangladesh,” said Amardeep. He has been working for the past many years to ensure that the inmates of the transit camp inside Amritsar Central Jail, who include a total of 64 foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and African countries, are repatriated through proper channels.
“Some of them escaped from their countries due to poverty, political unrest or criminal backgrounds. When they were detained in India, they did not want to go back. But we follow a protocol, carry out a tedious process of identification and work with country-specific diplomatic channels to get them back,” said Amardeep.
End of Uncertainty
For many of the internees, the repatriation marked the end of a prolonged period of uncertainty and separation from their loved ones. The initiative reflects not only adherence to legal procedures but also compassion and sensitivity towards individuals awaiting an opportunity to return home.
The DLSA, Amritsar, in furtherance of its mandate to safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals, including foreign nationals, played a proactive role in monitoring the cases of the internees, extending legal assistance wherever required, and coordinating with various departments to expedite the repatriation process.
Coordination with Jail Department
Rajiv Kumar Arora, Superintendent, Central Jail, Amritsar, and Navinder Singh, Additional Superintendent, Central Jail, Amritsar, said that the Jail Department worked in close coordination with DLSA and other agencies concerned to ensure that the repatriation was carried out efficiently and in a humane manner.
