The issue of repatriation of the Rohingyas has been discussed with Bangladesh at the highest level and both countries have agreed on the need to “expedite their safe, speedy and sustainable repatriation to their homes in Myanmar,” Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Rohingya belong to Rakhine state in Mayanmar but more than a million have taken refuge in Bangladesh and some in India following an ethnic campaign of violence against them.
In a written reply, Mr. Rai said there are reports of some Rohingya migrants indulging in illegal activities.
Mr. Rai said the central government has issued periodic instructions to State governments requesting them to sensitise the law enforcement and intelligence agencies for taking appropriate steps for identification of illegal migrants, and their restriction to specified locations as per provisions of law.
The instructions also include capturing their biographic and biometric particulars, cancellation of fake Indian documents, and starting legal process, including initiation of deportation proceedings as per the provisions of law, he said.
Responding to another question on the number of Rohingya in India, Mr. Rai said “since illegal migrants enter into the country without valid travel documents in clandestine and surreptitious manner, the data regarding number of such illegal migrants living in the country is not maintained centrally.”
