The investigating agencies probing the role of facilitators and sympathizers responsible for rehabilitating illegal immigrants from Myanmar in and around vital security installations in Jammu have gathered credible evidence against some of the Kashmir-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) who have deployed their young volunteers to assist them.
Meanwhile, a senior Cabinet minister in the Omar Abdullah-led government Saturday reacted to the media reports claiming the power/water supply lines to plots housing illegal immigrants from Myanmar have been disconnected by the local administration in Jammu.
Speaking to media persons in Jammu, Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana on Saturday said the water supply will not be snapped to the slums housing the illegal immigrants, pending a call from the Centre on their deportation. “The government is duty-bound to ensure water supply to all human beings. We will ensure water supply to them (Rohingyas) on humanitarian grounds till the government of India takes a call on their issue,” Rana, who is also minister for forest, ecology and environment, and tribal affairs, told reporters.
According to reports, these Kashmir-based volunteers run childcare centers where they impart elementary education to kids and also extend health care facilities to women. The same volunteers also distribute different aid materials to needy families in these illegal settlements.
During the current drive launched by the Union Territory administration to verify the credentials of these immigrants, camping across different clusters in Jammu, the field agencies were stunned to record the number of vehicles owned /parked in these settlements, especially in the Bhatindi, Sunjwan and Narwal Bala area of Jammu.
Ironically, these illegal immigrants have purchased the majority of vehicles from locals without completing any paperwork. So far traffic police authorities and the office of the Regional Transport Officer have not launched any drive to seize these vehicles. Some of these illegal immigrants have also purchased e-rickshaws and ferried passengers without any scrutiny. Few others manage mobile ice cream carts.
The majority of these illegal immigrants are also using smartphones and have acquired SIM cards from the local market without facing any scrutiny. A large number of Rohingyas also run their shops/eating joints, provision stores, tailoring shops, mobile repair shops, and meat shops, and purchase all items from different traders in Jammu to earn their livelihood.
Another section is working as sanitation workers and are hired by the contractors working with the Jammu Municipal Corporation. Several hotels have also recruited and relied on these sanitation workers for cleaning floors and toilets. On the other hand, women also earn their livelihood by working as domestic workers and daily wage laborers. Minor children also work as rag pickers and collect garbage.