Jammu and Kashmir Police begins massive crackdown against Rohingyas and their facilitators; Details

Jammu: Weeks after the National Investigation Agency (NIA)'s action concerning the Rohingyas, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police has initiated an extensive crackdown on Rohingyas within the region.

Raids are currently being conducted at various locations linked to Rohingyas and their associated networks in Jammu and Kashmir. Multiple first information reports (FIRs) have been filed against those aiding Rohingyas in the Jammu area.

Illegal settlement of Rohingyas

Officials told Republic that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the J&K Government to launch a significant campaign targeting the illegal settlement of Rohingyas in the region. The operation that began today spans over four districts within the Jammu region.

Notably, in November 2023, the NIA apprehended 44 individuals involved in the facilitation of Rohingya entry into India.

A senior official in Jammu Police told Republic that the authorities have taken decisive action against individuals involved in harbouring and enabling non-citizen Rohingyas to access government benefits.

FIRs have been filed across various police stations — Satwari FIR no.270, Trikuta Nagar FIR no.352, Bagh-e-Bahu FIR no.107, Channi Himmat FIR no.184, Nowabad FIR no.191, Domana FIR no.370, and Nagrota FIR no.527 — targeting those accused of providing shelter to foreign nationals (Rohingyas), the official said.

The official further added that following proper protocols, searches were conducted in Jammu district, with the magistrate. Among the things uncovered were illegally obtained Indian documents like permanent account number (PAN) cards, Aadhaar cards, and bank records, alongside other incriminating materials at locations housing non-citizens and at facilitators' residences.

Yesterday, the Kishtwar Police carried out a comprehensive operation targeting the illegally settled Rohingyas in the Dachhan area. The police registered Case FIR 22/2023 under various sections of the IPC at Police Station Dachhan.

The investigation revealed that the Rohingyas had obtained fraudulent documents, including domicile certificates, ration cards, Aadhaar cards and Indian voter ID cards. 

As part of the ongoing probe, the police conducted searches at the residences of individuals like Ghulam Mohd Sheikh, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahnawaz S/O Ghulam Hassan Mageay, and Fayaz Ahmed Chopan.