PIL seeking shifting of illegal immigrants from J&K
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 10: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to J&K Government regarding identification of all illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and First Puisne Judge Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey has directed the Government to file response within a month regarding the measures being taken or proposed to be taken for initiating proper action with regard to illegal immigrants.
In the PIL filed by Advocate Hunar Gupta, Incharge BJP Law and Legal Affairs Department through Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi with Advocate Parimoksh Seth prayer has been made for issuance of direction to the Government to shift all the illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh from J&K to any other place as no refugee camp has ever been declared either by J&K or by United Nation.
Moreover, prayer has been made for withdrawal of all benefits given to the illegal immigrants of Bangladeshi and Myanmar from the exchequer and from the scheme and benefits meant for residents of J&K.
“There is abrupt increase in number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar and as per the Government version 13400 Myanmari and Bangladeshi illegal immigrants are living in various areas of J&K. However, the actual figures are much more than the official figures”, the PIL said, adding “in 1982 the Myanmar Government declared them as non-national which led to their migration to neighbouring Bangladesh, Thailand and even Pakistan, however they were not welcomed in these countries as well”.
“This led to their influx into India through porous border with Bangladesh. Almost 1700 Rohangia families comprising approximately 8500 souls are living in various settlement colonies of Jammu and Kashmir. The land mafia of J&K in order to encroach upon the State land and natural resources especially forest areas as well as water bodies is settling these illegal immigrants”, the PIL said, adding “many of the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar have acquired ration card, voter card, Aadhar cards as well as permanent resident certificates illegally and they are suspected to be involved in various anti-national activities such as drug trafficking and hawala transactions at the behest of enemies of the nation”.
“Due to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar there will be increase in pro-separatists as well as anti-Indian activities in J&K especially in the communally sensitive Jammu region which has so far displayed maturity and tolerance. Immediate and necessary directions are required to the respondents for the shifting of these immigrants to their native places”, the PIL said.
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