Jammu:The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have sent more than 150 Rohingyas, who were living illegally in the Union Territory, to a 'holding centre' as the government has tightened the noose on illegal immigrants.
According to the news agency PTI, the administration here on Saturday had begun a drive to collect biometric and other details of Rohingyas staying in Jammu. It is part of an exercise to trace foreigners living in the city without valid documents.'
The officials said on the very first day at least 168 illegal immigrant Rohingyas were traced and later sent to Hiranagar jail in Kathua district, which has been turned into a “holding centre” for the Rohingyas.
The verification process of Rohingya Muslims, who escaped persecution in Myanmar, was carried out at the MAM Stadium here amid high security, the officials said, adding further verification of the foreigners is going on, they added.
'Threat to peace in J&K'
According to government data, more than 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya Muslims and Bangladesh nationals, are settled in Jammu and Samba districts, where their population has increased by over 6,000 between 2008 and 2016.
Many political parties and social organisations in Jammu have alleged that their presence is a "conspiracy to alter the demographic character" in the region and a "threat to the peace". They have urged the Central government to take immediate steps for the deportation of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in the Union Territory.
Rohingyas are a Muslim minority group from Myanmar. Following persecution in their country, many of them entered India illegally through Bangladesh and took shelter in Jammu and other parts of India.