Ensure measures to restrict entry of Rohingyas, Centre tells Jammu & Kashmir govt

The Union Home Ministry has asked the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that all necessary measures were taken to restrict the entry of illegal migrants including Rohingyas in the state.

A letter was sent to the State Chief Secretary Bharat Bhushan Vyas, the Joint Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Anuj Sharma has asked the state government to " kindly review this matter  (of the entry of illegal migrants) and issue instructions to take necessary steps and share updated information in the prescribed form .. as soon as possible..".

The Home Ministry highlighted its serious concern over the Rohingyas and other foreign nationals who have already entered India illegally.

The letter further said, "Such illegal migrations poses serious challenges and has security implications since some of the migrants have been found to have indulged in illegal activities and are vulnerable to radicalisation."

It further states, "It has been brought to the notice of the Government that some of the Rohingyas/foreigners are involved in crimes, anti-national activities, money laundering, procuring fake/fabricated Indian documents and some of them have illegally and fraudulently obtained Indian identity documents e.g. Pan Card, Voter Card, etc."

"Most of these persons have entered India illegally, and many of them have taken (the) help of organised groups of touts and agents," the letter added.

The letter also said that all states have been issued with five instructions from time to time that they need to follow against the illegal immigrants including Rohingyas.

The instructions were as follows:  

Restrict them to specified identified locations and their activities/movements be strictly watched by State Police/Intelligence Agencies.

Each one of them must be identified, personal particulars (name, date of birth, sex, place of birth, father/mother names, address in Myanmar/some other country, nationality, etc. may be captured and got signed by such illegal migrant/their guardian.

Biometrics of illegal migrants, including Rohingyas, be captured to ensure unique identification/de-duplication and to prevent impersonation in future. FRO must coordinate with UIDAI to ensure that no Aadhar Card other documents are issued to Rohingya immigrants, which may later help them in claiming to be Indian citizens.

The personal particular forms/identity documents of such Rohingyas/foreigners to be shared with the Government of Myanmar through MEA for their nationality verification, issue of travel documents and repatriation to Myanmar.

Keep a watch on their movement and activities and ensure action for their repatriation/deportation as per Law/Policy/Instructions.

The Union Ministry has issued the letter six months after the Home Minister Rajanath Singh asked all the states to keep hawk eye on the issues.

According to estimates, about 40,000 Rohingyas residing in India.

The government had told the Supreme Court in January that the country could not become the "Refugee Capital of the World". 

(With inputs from ANI)