The Indian government has started identifying Rohingya Muslims who have entered the country from Myanmar for arrest or deportation, Times of India reported on Wednesday.

Rohingya Muslims, fleeing atrocities in Myanmar, have settled in India and are living "illegally in various pockets" including held Kashmir, the Indian daily reported.

A meeting was chaired by India's Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi on Monday during which mechanisms for the detection, arrest and deportation of Rohingya refugees was discussed, TOI reported.

Quoting an official at the Indian home ministry, TOI reported that 40,000 Rohingya have entered the country using three infiltration routes. These include a route through the Bangladesh border, one through the Myanmar border, and by sea.

According to the the home ministry, 5,500-5,700 Rohingya Muslims have settled in India-held Kashmir alone, the daily said. However, the number may be a lot higher, it was added.

While the United Nations Human Rights Commission recognises 14,000 Rohingya settlers in India as refugees, the country does not accept this status, TOI said.

Under the Foreigners Act, Rohingya Muslims seeking refuge in India are considered "illegal migrants."

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...