Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has raised an alarm over the illegal settlement of Rohingya infiltrators in the state and demanded a thorough probe into the internal system allegedly enabling their permanent residency. Speaking to the media at Gannavaram Airport on May 20, he revealed that he had written letters to the Chief Secretary and the DGP on May 19, seeking immediate action on this growing threat.
“In the past, a large number of Rohingya infiltrators entered various parts of Andhra Pradesh from the West Bengal side, particularly during 2017–18, for goldsmith work. Rohingyas are originally from Myanmar. Due to their infiltration, local youth are facing unemployment,” he said.
He reminded, “A key demand in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has been to provide jobs only to locals. In fact, one of the three core demands during Telangana formation was ensuring employment for locals.”
Slamming administrative negligence, he stated, “Rohingyas are now obtaining ration cards, Aadhaar, and voter ID cards to settle permanently here. They’re taking jobs and doing business, depriving our youth. How are they getting these documents? Who is issuing them? Someone within the system is helping them.”
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan raises concern over influx of Rohingyas, citing complaints from 2017–18, especially by goldsmiths, about people from Bengal—believed to be from Myanmar—taking up jobs in the state.
He questions how they are obtaining Aadhaar and… pic.twitter.com/5uPs8HPb9z
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) May 20, 2025
He stressed, “Public awareness must rise. I’ve written as the president of a responsible political party, demanding strict vigilance on those helping Rohingyas become locals.”
“Police must be as alert as the Army”: Need for internal vigilance
Emphasising internal security, Pawan Kalyan said, “Just as soldiers vigilantly guard our borders, the police must be equally alert internally. I’ve directed the police and administration to stay vigilant.”
Citing recent examples, he noted, “Southern states are soft targets. The past attacks in Coimbatore and Hyderabad are still horrifying. Recently, a youth in Vizianagaram was arrested for ISIS links and plotting bomb blasts—uncovered by Telugu states’ intelligence wings. Our police must now act even more stringently.”
He added, “After Operation Sindoor, constant vigilance is crucial. Coordination with administrative departments is needed. Infiltrators, terrorist sympathisers, sleeper cells, and especially Rohingyas must be tracked. Any sign of extremist presence must be reported and probed.”
Coastal surveillance and document scrutiny key
Focusing on coastal security, he warned, “With a long coastline, AP must establish special surveillance in coastal districts. There have been past reports of outsiders arriving by boats in Kakinada.”
In his May 19 letter, Pawan Kalyan asked officials to investigate:
Do the suspects possess Aadhaar, ration cards, or voter IDs?
- How did they get them?
- Who provided shelter?
- Who is facilitating them locally?
He called for a full-fledged probe to identify those helping infiltrators and reiterated, “National and public security must be top priority.”
He also referred to earlier NIA raids in Guntur and Rayalaseema, urging the police to factor in those precedents while dealing with current threats.
“Internal security is as vital as border defence. If our state police focus beyond law and order and address internal threats seriously, Andhra Pradesh can effectively complement the Centre’s efforts,” he concluded.
