FIRs Lodged Against Rohingyas’ Shelter Providers in Jammu
Law enforcement in Jammu has taken decisive action against individuals accused of offering shelter and government benefits to Rohingyas, as seven First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged across various police stations in the region.
Police spokespersons confirmed the filing of FIRs at stations including Satwari, Trikuta Nagar, Bagh-e-Bahu, Channi Himmat, Nowabad, Domana, and Nagrota. The accusations against these individuals involve providing refuge to foreign immigrants and aiding them in accessing government entitlements.
Searches, conducted in the presence of magistrates, spanned locations where Rohingyas are accommodated, as well as the residential areas of the alleged facilitators. The operations resulted in the confiscation of illegally acquired Indian documents such as PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, bank documents, and other incriminating materials.
The spokesperson emphasized that the investigation is underway, promising further details in due course. Stringent measures are expected to be taken against those found guilty, reinforcing the commitment to addressing the issue at its core.
This development comes on the heels of a similar crackdown in Kishtwar district, where police registered a case against Rohingyas following the discovery of fraudulently obtained documents, including Aadhaar cards. Sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating, forgery, and use of forged documents were invoked in this case.
Rohingyas, a Bengali-dialect speaking Muslim minority from Myanmar, faced persecution in their home country, leading many to enter India illegally through Bangladesh and seek refuge in Jammu and other parts of the nation.
Government data indicates that over 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, have settled in Jammu and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The population of this demographic surged by over 6,000 between 2008 and 2016, prompting authorities to address the challenges associated with their presence.
In a notable incident in March 2021, over 250 Rohingyas, including women and children, were discovered living illegally in Jammu city during a verification drive. Subsequently, they were lodged in a holding center within Sub-jail Kathua. These recent actions underscore the government’s commitment to addressing the complex issues surrounding the Rohingya population in the region.
