Born in India,
With pristine thoughts of
Being an Indian citizen.
Without prejudices, stereotypes,
And discrimination in sight.
As I grew up like others,
I kept hearing the Refugee tagline.
But was aware of the legal migrants’ outline.
My ancestors moved down
To India with pristine hopes
Of a permanent settlement.
Because, the Government of India,
Brought ‘them’ legally’
To NEFA* as per the quintessence of a rehabilitation,
And border security post-Indo-Sino War.
The outcry began as ‘Refugees Go Back‘;
Since the 1980s, houses have been burnt,
The schools have been shunned, Hospitals have been shut and,
Then the dreaded economic blockade.
People died of Malaria and what not.
It hurts; it pains as I recollect.
The question is: ‘where will we go’?
Our ancestors came from,
Then East Pakistan not from,
The present-day Bangladesh,
Sealed by the Indira-Majib Accord.
Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India
Hatched many judgements for our protection,
And settlements as Indian citizens.
We have nowhere to go now, it’s too late.
It’s not pragmatic, but we wish to live
With peace and harmony, along with
Equal rights, and dignity.
The way we were pre-independence
Patriotic rightful citizens of the country
*North-East Frontier Agency