Nuh, Haryana: In the aftermath of communal violence that shook the district this week, shanties in Rohingya camps located in Nuh’s Tauru area were bulldozed by local authorities on Thursday evening. The police have identified suspects among the Rohingya refugees who were allegedly involved in the unrest. The camps were considered encroachments as the Rohingyas had illegally occupied the land of Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran. Videos from Thursday show bulldozers clearing the area, a move taken in response to their alleged involvement in the violence.
Rohingyas are predominantly Muslim refugees from Myanmar who fled their homeland in 2017 due to targeted violence by the government. India is home to approximately 16,000 UNHCR-certified Rohingya refugees, with an estimated total of more than 40,000 Rohingyas residing in and around Jammu, as reported by HT in 2022.
The authorities in Nuh identified over 50 illegal properties occupied by the Rohingyas across the district. Prashant Pawar, the Nuh Deputy Commissioner, informed that the demolition drive was carried out by relevant agencies, with the police providing manpower and security.
Prior to this incident, the Nuh police had also demolished illegal properties of criminals allegedly involved in cattle smuggling, illegal mining, extortion, arms dealing, and cybercrime.
In response to the communal violence, local authorities have registered 44 FIRs, including three against individuals who circulated objectionable videos celebrating the unrest. The violence not only affected Nuh but also spilled over to adjoining areas.
As part of the investigation, 141 individuals have been arrested in Nuh so far. Combing exercises have been conducted in various villages, including Mewli, Shikarpur, Jalalpur, and Singar. To reconstruct a sequence of events, a special team of cyber experts collected footage from CCTV cameras installed across the Yatra route.
The situation has raised concerns among the international community about the care and safety of the Rohingya refugees. The demolition of their settlements has sparked debate among human rights activists and organizations, who fear that such actions may lead to further hardship and exacerbate their already precarious situation.
The authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the government has reiterated its commitment to addressing issues related to illegal occupation while ensuring the safety and welfare of all individuals, including refugees.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days, as the district grapples with the aftermath of the violence and takes measures to restore peace and stability.
Sources By Agencies