Rohingyas in Jammu

Col J P Singh, Retd
Presence of illegal immigrants in Jammu cropped up as a serious security and demographic issue after the National Panther Party put up anti-immigrant hoardings in the city. Their presence is being vociferously detested in public. It sparked debate after debate. Many organisations have called upon Jammu to wake up, unite and save history, culture and identity. Registering its concern, BJP also held a seminar in its party office on 18 Feb 2017.  “Illegal immigrants big threat to Jammuites ” was the subject.  Sat Sharma, Party President, patiently heard concerns of other speakers and was convinced that illegal immigrants were a serious threat to Dogriyat (Jammu’s philosophy). While expressing his views, he blamed NC-Congress govt for its complicity in creating an unprecedented problem, not realising the security imperative of the immigration. Security of Jammu stands compromised, he regretfully admitted. He cautioned Jammuites and exhorted them to work together towards their deportation. It was an alarming issue on which he will act, he stated. It is an issue for everyone except those political parties who see them as their vote bank. With growing intolerance against them, I see it more a threat to the BJP than to Jammuites, because every political party, with Panthers in the lead, is politicking over illegal immigrants at the cost of the ruling BJP. This is the perception in Jammu.  Feeling the ground slipping under their feet, BJP raised the necessary alarm which has compelled the Centre to act. Taking a tough stance against illegal settlement of Rohingyas in Jammu, Home Minister convened a high level security review meeting on 3rd March and has asked the State Govt to report since when are they in Jammu with their exact number. Blissfully for Jammu, a tough follow up action is expected after the report. A reason for Jammu to smile.
Coming to the immigrants, the Rohingyas are basically Bangladeshis who migrated to erstwhile Burma as labourers. They are from the Sunni Muslim sect. They opted for Pakistan during partition of India but Jinnah didn’t accept the offer for the sake of sovereignty of Burma and bilateral relations. They faced strong hostility in Myanmar for nefarious activities. They refused to adopt two child family norms. Since they didn’t have own land, they encroached vast tracts of common and forest lands. They were found involved with Jihadist outfits, proliferation of Mosques and organized crimes. In 1982 they were deprived of their citizenship and summarily expelled. Today they are stateless entity. Myanmar calls them Bangladesh refugees and does not recognize them as one of their ethnic group of the country. Rohingyas claim that they were subjected to all sort of brutalities in Myanmar and driven out. When Myanmar govt went hammer and tongs after them, they migrated to neighboring lands. Those who managed to get back to Bangladesh were herded in separate refugee camps and kept under surveillance. Indonesia and Malaysia, though Muslim countries, didn’t accept them. Out of all the places in the world, Rohingyas found Jammu a safe heaven for their survival. Since then their addition continues. Presently 15000 Rohingyas and  double the Bangladeshis are estimated in Jammu. Exact number will be known after the above mentioned report is submitted.  Several Jammuites are still unaware of their settlement in Jammu despite media coverage of their presence after one of their Basti was engulfed by flames. Last October one of the militant killed by army in South Kashmir, Chhota Burmi, was a Myanmari national. While most view them as demographic threat, others as security risk. They have the potential of threatening the very ‘Civilisational flow of Jammu’, was stated by Panun Kashmir President Ashwani Chrungoo in the seminar; to say the least. Though majority of them work to earn livelihood, charities continue to pour in from Islamic-philanthropic organizations. Due to the fear of being deported, they pretend to be innocent. Their criminal element is out of the public glare yet despite 17 FIRs against 38 illegal immigrants presently under investigation and one of them having been sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 1000 last week.
BJP is the govt for the people in Jammu. When BJP leadership asks people to work together to evict them, doubts arise about BJP’s authority/say in the coalition govt. Deporting illegal immigrants is not within public preview legally. It is job of the govt. Setting lurking threats aside, all political parties are out to encash the issue for political gains rather than wanting to deport them. Assam type situation is looking ahead, a flash back to which reminds that Assam faced similar security and demographic problem following massive influx of Bangladeshis. Sensing threat to their identity, ‘All Assam Student Union’ launched an agitation. This agitation catapulted many student leaders into heroes who formed a political party ‘Assom Gana  Parishad’ which ruled in Assam twice. The agitation continued for six years. Remarkable part of the agitation was that it got massive support from all segments of the society except from the ruling party and those who would benefit from illegal votes.  The agitation ended with the signing of Assam Accord in 1985 and passing of ‘Illegal Migrants Determination by Tribunal Act’ by the Parliament. Main reason for rapid rise of Muslim population and demographic change in Assam was due to illegal immigration. Jammu can’t be exception to its demographics if they are not deported. All sorts of social, religious and political linkages to Assam are visible in illegal migration in J&K. The core issues are alike and need to be highlighted.
Apart from above, otherwise also there is a steady migration to Jammu since the eruption of militancy in Kashmir. Till 1980, there were only three/four well known Muslim Bastis in Jammu. Today they are 25 to 30. Authorities, over the period, have turned blind eye to forest encroachments and land grabbing. Once the govt even illegally legalised encroachments under the Roshni Act. (presently under the High Court review).  Steady addition to Muslim population and decline in the Hindu population continues in Jammu which is abetting the intolerance and leading to anger. Intolerance of immigrants is growing world over. Killing of two Indian nationals in US within a week is the fresh example of intolerance against immigrants elsewhere also.
Bangladeshis basically came to Jammu to cross over to Pakistan. Unable to cross, they settled in or around existing Muslim Bastis. They readily found sympathisers, jobs and other amenities. I have seen them working as waiters and dish washers in Banquet Halls. Uniquely attired men, women & children, with different physical features, are seen moving around in Jammu as freely as I have seen in Delhi, Gurgaon and Jaipur.
Those who oppose honourable return of Pandits to their abode, Sainik Colony in the Valley and domicile certificates to West Pakistan Refugees on the excuse of ‘an attempt to change the demography’ have a lesson for us. Why should Jammu alone be the scapegoat? These illegal settlements can become bases for fomenting trouble and disturbing communal harmony. They can provide transit facilities and logistic support for more migration and act as sleeping cells for terrorist network. Impacting future elections may still be OK but their nefarious activities are greater threat. Jammu can become a communal flash point in the otherwise peaceful region. MLA, Er. Rashid has already said that they are being targeted because they are Muslims. It is an attempt to turn the sensitive security issue into communal suggesting repeat of Kashmir.
The next election is four years down the lane. By then illegal immigrants will multiply manifold if not deported. They would have increased matrimonial alliances, created sympathisers, become financially sound, created a formidable vote bank, shot up own leadership and become indispensable. Even if not here for a purpose, they are raw material for ISI & ISIS and that is why Home Minster has enquired the measures taken by the state govt to insulate them from anti-national elements. Hence they need immediate deportation. Let Myanmar, Bangladesh, UN or OIC find them a shelter elsewhere.
As per Chinese proverb; “He who knows not but knows that he knows not, can be taught. Teach him”. Regrettably  Jammu is taught by outsiders. “He who knows, but knows not that he knows, is asleep. Awake him”. Security agencies need to wake up.”He who knows and knows that he knows, is worthy of being followed. Follow him”. The choice is ours.
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