Right Move

The Government of India has initiated the process of identifying the illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants staying in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The exercise for identifying and verifying the documents of illegal immigrants started on Saturday last following a Home Ministry notification dated 5/3/2021 when the Rohingyas staying in Bhatindi, Sunjawan and Belicharana of Jammu and Samba districts were asked to come to MAM stadium for verification. About 197 persons have been detained under Section 3(2)e of the Foreigners Act since these immigrants were not found with valid travel documents required in terms of Section(3) of the Passports Act, said a senior police official.

The detained Rohingyas include 100 women and 97 men, all above the age of 18 years. No child was sent to the holding centre.

Hordes of Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals started coming to Jammu and Kashmir illegally as soon as National Conference Government was elected and Farooq Abdullah became the Chief Minister of the State. Initially, the illegal immigrants were pushed back but soon the process of illegal occupation of forestland in Bhatindi was started by National Conference. This was disclosed by Atul Sudan, a local resident, adding most of the National Conference legislators led by then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah built their houses on the forestland in the Bhatindi area while big businessmen, ministers, High Court judges were encouraged to occupy the forestland and build houses.

The Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegal immigrants were then encouraged to settle in and around Bhatindi and Sunjwan serving the twin purpose of provision of cheap labour for rich and influential Muslims in Bhatindi and Sunjwan areas and changing the demography of Hindu-majority Jammu, he added.

The Centre’s decision to verify the identity of illegal immigrants has been welcomed by a wide spectrum of the people, as, of late, the Rohingyas were found involved in various crimes including human trafficking, drug trafficking, prostitution, theft and even murders. A Rohingya terrorist called ‘Chota Burmi’ was killed in Kashmir recently.

Intelligence agencies have been warning the Government of the impending danger due to the presence of Rohingyas in Jammu and there has been heightened concern of the locals also.

The forces inimical to the country have been raising the issue of humanitarian angle but the people have been appreciative of the Government’s action.

IGP Jammu Mukesh Singh said the police action is in accordance with the established laws and all illegal immigrants will be identified in conformity with the standard operating procedures.