JAMMU, Dec 4: Police have decided to launch crackdown on “entire support base” of Rohingyas in jammu by coming down heavily on all those providing logistic and material support to the Myanmarese who have illegally settled in different parts of Jammu region after infiltrating into the country mainly through West Bengal and Assam.
“A census of the Rohingyas is being conducted by police and Intelligence agencies and as per the latest figures there are around 6500 Myanmarese in Jammu district, their `bastis’ mainly confined to Narwal Bhatindi, Railway Station, Qasim Nagar, Channi Rama etc, around 550 in Samba and 200 at Hiranagar Holding Centre in Kathua district,” officials told the Excelsior.
However, unconfirmed reports put the number of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals settled in Jammu at 13,700. Their population is reported to have increased between 2008 and 2014.
Their numbers have gone up over past few years not only because of fresh infiltration but also due to marriages with locals and newly born babies, they said, adding their census which is a regular process is being conducted by police and Intelligence agencies and strict surveillance is maintained on their localities to ensure that they are not lured by the anti-national elements.
Asserting that the Rohingyas are being patronized by some of the groups as well as individuals, the officials said, police and Intelligence agencies have been directed to target those supporting and facilitating settlements of Rohingyas in Jammu division mainly the Jammu district and lodge First Information Reports (FIRs) against them under relevant sections of law.
“The support base system is crucial which is sustaining Rohingyas in the region. They are not only being provided settlements but also other requirements resulting into many of them mixing up with local population by marrying local boys and girls leading to expansion of families and their numbers,” the officials said, adding that police have now decided to look for all those arranging shelters and other facilities for the illegal immigrants and take action against them under the law.
While major population of Rohingyas is mainly confined to outskirts of the Jammu City and Samba district, few families have also managed to reach Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri and Poonch districts because of the support arranged by some organizations and individuals, some of whom have been identified and action is being initiated against them.
Police have, however, been facing certain difficulties in identification of Rohingyas as they have managed to obtain identity cards with the help of those supporting their settlements in the region and they have been posing as the locals or the residents of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Locals have rented their rooms to them and this support of the Rohingyas is now being targeted by the police by registration of FIRs to take legal action against them.
Rohingyas had earlier managed to establish themselves in the system, opening bank accounts, acquiring electricity and water connections, and obtaining essential documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards and domicile certificates. The exploitation of rented plots for makeshift shelters, facilitated by the negligent tenancy verification process, had further exacerbated the situation,” the officials said but added that all those now renting out their houses, plots, land etc are being booked for facilitating illegal immigrants.
“The marriage of local individuals to Rohingya girls highlights the complex and troubling nature of these settlements. Rohingyas pose a substantial threat to regional security, and locals must refrain from employing or providing shelter to them. In this digital age, attempts to conceal such activities are futile, and individuals should approach local police stations for tenant verifications,” the officials said.
It may be mentioned here that the Deputy Commissioner jammu has issued an order making police verification of tenants mandatory for all property owners in the district. The directive has been issued in view of concerns regarding potential threat posed by anti-social elements and unauthorized individuals who may use rented properties for illegal activities, the officials said
