SRINAGAR: Rohingya immigrants residing in Jammu and Kashmir are facing scrutiny as some have been discovered in possession of Indian identification documents, notably Aadhaar cards and domicile certificates, reported The Tribune.
While a substantial population of Rohingya resides in the Jammu division, a significant portion of them remains unregistered and resides in the region unlawfully. These immigrants have established settlements across various parts of the Jammu division, including remote districts like Kishtwar and Poonch.
Presently, the police have initiated a verification process for the credentials of all such refugees, focusing particularly on areas with a substantial Rohingya presence. Official estimates suggest that more than 5,500 such immigrants are residing in the Jammu division.
On October 4, the Kishtwar district police apprehended a Rohingya woman in possession of a domicile certificate in the Dachan area, where many immigrant women have married local residents and settled. Three individuals, including the woman, a revenue official, and a facilitator, have been booked by the police.
Kishtwar SSP Khalil Poswal said that the husband of the accused woman misled the revenue official, securing the domicile certificate in September 2020.
On October 6, a Rohingya man in Balakote of Poonch district was found to be in possession of forged documents, including Aadhaar and ration cards. Following the lodging of a case, local police anticipate additional arrests in the near future.
Even within Jammu city, illegal Rohingya individuals are found in areas like Bathindi, where they operate shops and other small businesses while possessing unauthorized Indian identity documents. A senior police officer, while speaking to The Tribune said, “There are multiple reports indicating that Rohingya individuals have acquired forged identity certificates. This poses a significant potential national security threat in the coming years, prompting directives to identify and take legal action against all immigrants possessing unauthorized Indian identity cards.”
In Kathua district, a centre has been established to accommodate over 250 Rohingya refugees, including women and children.
