After tenant runs fever, Siliguri landlord throws her out

SNS, Siliguri, 17 April 2020: Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has filed a police complaint against a house owner in Siliguri for allegedly throwing out a tenant, a young woman, from his house just because she had fever.

The house owner said he was scared about her fever, given the Covid-19 threat. The development comes at a time when the state government has been appealing to people to not ostracise and discriminate people for fear of Covid-19."The woman hails from Sikkim and is pursuing a training course in Siliguri for a callcentre job. She had been staying in the rented house at Pradhan Nagar for the past few months," sources said."It pained me that a young girl was asked to vacate her rooom during such a difficult time, simply because she was suffering from fever,which does not mean she has Covid-19.

We arranged for her treatment and the doctor said in writing that it was common flu. We had ensured proper medical treatment until she recovered. However, it was shocking that despite her complete cure, the owner did not allow her to enter the house," Mr Bhutia, who is stuck in Siliguri due to lock-down, said.

"I believe there should be zero tolerance on discrimination. But it is unfortunate that similar cases are occuring across the country, especially against the Northeastern people. I have filed a complaint with the police for her justice," he added.

Hiren Dey the house owner on the other hand, said that the woman had left the house during the first phase of the lockdown last month. "She came back early this month and had fever. I am an elderly persona and have a family. I was scared when she returned after some days with fever. Therefore, I thought it would not be wise for her to stay here. She came back after a few days, but she did not tell me of the reports.Some persons accompanied her and forced me to allow her to stay. I had to call the police," Mr Dey said. Sources said the woman in her late teens was staying at Pahariya Bhavan at Matigara, a facility for hill residents who visit Siliguri, run by Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). 

A senior police officer in Siliguri said they have started investigations.