|
Researcher : Prof. Imtiaz Ahmed
Development has often disrupted the eco-system as well
as the cultural world of the poor, thus disrupting their
physical and spiritual harmony. Development induced
forced migration is also common. This takes place both
within state and outside state boundaries. Once the
state boundaries are crossed the person is caught within
the jargon of international law. He/she either labelled
as a displaced, economic refugee, environmental refugee
or economic migrant. S/he then becomes a subject of
politics, security and law. Resolutions and solutions
are sought either within the state's discourse or international
law dominated by the dominant states. Within this state
of affairs, the person not only looses her/his autonomy
but the cause and consequences of her/his plight are
often lost sight of. In other words we fail to interrogate
our existing notions of poverty and development and
also loose sight of the life and living of the forced
economic migrants or refugees; while most of them continue
to live in a life of insecurity, misery and poverty.
For the sake of manageability, the study would limit
itself to two physical areas and communities. The Garos
have been affected by the development policies of the
state relating to land and forest. They often cross
state boundaries to join their kith and kin on the other
side. There are also a higher percentage of outflows
from the Khulna-Satkhira and Rajshahi regions. Water
insecurity, a consequence of the Farakka barrage, another
development endeavour of neighbouring India is widely
considered to be responsible for this. Bengalis have
been migrating from these areas. The present study will
be conducted in these two regions. Major objectives
of the project include the study : (i) critical conceptual
examination of the problem; (ii) push and pull-in factors
for the economic migrants/refugees ; (iii) life and
living of the affected people both within and outside
the state boundaries; (iv) their notions of state, boundaries,
citizenship, rights and development; and (v) heir perceptions,
and suggestions for moving beyond or overcoming their
present predicament would be studied. Methodology of
the study includes review of existing literature on
development, poverty, migration, refugees. Av survey
would also be conducted in the study areas as well as
in West Bengal (sites to be identified later) to examine
the life, living and expectations of the affected people.
Both questionnaires and in-depth interview methods would
be used. Focus group discussions and sample survey will
be adopted mainly to conduct the study.
|
