Forces deployed to prevent Rohingya infiltration: Govt
‘ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS’ Centre says collecting details from states
NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that some Rohingya Muslim mig- rants in India have been found indulging in illegal activities, and maintained that security forces have been deployed to stop their infiltration into the country.
Home minister Rajnath Singh said during question hour that states have been asked to carry out enumeration of Rohingyas and collect their biometric and other details. “When we get all information on the number of Rohingyas and other details from the states, we will approach the external affairs ministry and connect with Myanmar to deport them... The states have the right under the Foreigners Act to deport illegal migrants,” he said.
Singh said the Border Security Force and the Assam Rifles guarding international borders have been sensitised to ensure that Rohingyas do not infiltrate into the country. In February this year, he said, an advisory was sent to the states asking them to confine Rohingyas in one place and keep them under watch.
Earlier, minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju made it clear that Rohingyas do not have the status of “refugee” but are “illegal migrants” and not entitled to any government facility. Responding to queries, Rijiju said the government has reports that some of the Rohingyas have been found involving in illegal activities.
He said the priority is to take care of the rights of the In- dian citizens.
“Though Rohingy- as have not been given legal documents like ration cards, if they have acquired such facilities, it must be through illegal means.” The states, Rijiju said, have to ensure that migrants do not get legal documents leading to citizenship claim later.