The administration in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been directed by the Division Bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court to file its response within a month listing out measures taken so far to identify and deport illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh camping in the region.
The directions were passed by the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and first Puisne Judge Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey after hearing advocates on behalf of the petitioner Hunar Gupta who had filed a Public Interest Litigation in the matter.
In contrast to this, it is business as usual in the areas where the majority of these illegal immigrants especially the Rohingya population from Myanmar is camping in Jammu.
According to the Home department estimates there are around 8000 Rohingyas camping across three dozen locations in and around Jammu and other district headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir.
Enterprising youngsters from Myanmar have set up different shops selling household items, vegetables, ration, and a variety of snacks to tease the taste buds of Burmese nationals living in the area.
A Fish market which is located in the temporary Rohingya colony on the outskirts of Jammu in Kiryani talab area remains the focal point of attraction. After returning from work majority of Rohingyas converge at this place to unwind and indulge in routine shopping. There are kiosks where Rohingya youth settle down, play games on their smartphones and indulge in chatting, sipping coffee and munching their favorite snacks.
Kifayatullah, selling different varieties of fish, told The Pioneer, “I am selling fish outsourced from New Delhi.He said I travel on a regular basis to either Ghazipur mandi in New Delhi or Mumbai to book choicest varieties of fish and sell it here. I earn 3000- 4000 on a daily basis by selling different varieties of fish.Majority of other Rohingyas earn their living by way of selling scrap material, working as labourers and laying cables, cleaning lanes and drains under different contractors engaged by the Jammu Municipal corporation. Womenwork in local factories where dry fruits are segregated, packed and cleaned inside godowns.
