Massive crowds gather at Barasat post office as CAA certificate applicants face difficulties

West Bengal Minister for Food, Supplies, and Marketing Ashok Kirtania paid a surprise visit to the Barasat Head Post Office in North 24 Parganas on Monday morning following complaints from Hindu refugees regarding difficulties and alleged harassment in the submission of documents for Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) certificates. During the visit, the Minister reviewed the situation at the post office and held an emergency meeting with the Superintendent of the Barasat Regional Head Post Office. He directed officials to ensure that applicants seeking CAA certificates receive hassle-free services and that the processing of applications is completed as quickly as possible.

A large number of refugees and applicants present at the post office raised grievances before the Minister regarding delays and administrative difficulties in the application process. Several individuals alleged that despite standing in queues for hours, they were turned away at the end of the day on various grounds without completing the required procedures. According to sources, the Barasat Head Post Office has witnessed massive crowds over the past week following increased demand for CAA-related documentation and verification procedures.

According to relevant sources, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has made possession of a CAA certificate mandatory for Bangladeshi Hindu refugees whose names were removed from the voter list and who seek re-enrolment in the electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Following the implementation of this requirement, thousands of applicants have reportedly been visiting the Barasat Head Post Office for document submission and related formalities connected to the issuance of CAA certificates.