New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking immediate release of Rohingya Refugees detained in Jammu, along with a direction to the Center. It is for the Rohingyas in informal camps to provide refugee identity cards soon through FRRO.
Rohingya refugee Mohammad Salimullah, in an application filed through lawyer Prashant Bhushan, sought to direct the government from the apex court to stop enforcing any order to deport Rohingya refugees jailed in Jammu.
The petition states that the refugees are facing imminent danger of cancellation of the government circular, which directs the authorities concerned to identify and expedite illegal Rohingya refugees. This (petition) is filed in the public interest, so as to protect and preserve the right of deportation of petitioner refugees in India and to protect the constitutional guarantee under Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution, Article 51 ( C) against the deportation of Rohingya refugees who have taken refuge in India after surviving widespread violence, bloodshed and discrimination against their community in their home state of Myanmar.
The plea urged the apex court to direct the UNHCR to intervene and complete the process of placing refugee cards in camps not only in Jammu but across the country and protecting the security needs of Rohingya refugees. The petition said that according to reports this month, about 150-170 Rohingya refugees have been detained in Jammu.
The petitioner argued that it was after the statements of Union Minister Jitendra Singh two months ago that the Rohingya would not be able to gain citizenship. He argued, “In India, no law has yet been passed which specifically refers to refugees.” Therefore, it often places Rohingya refugees with a class of viable immigrants who can be deported by the government under the Foreigners Act 1946 and Foreigners Order 1948. “
In January last year, the top court agreed to hear arguments against the Centre’s decision to deport illegal Rohingya Muslim migrants in Myanmar.
(With agency inputs)