Jammu police cracks down on locals ‘sheltering’ Rohingyas; over 50 booked

Conspirators arrested for preparing fake Aadhaar, ration cards, domicile certificates of Rohingyas

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Over 50, seven of them married couples, have been arrested and on Tuesday in a major police action against those harbouring Rohingya migrants or facilitating their stay with illegal papers in Jammu.
“In a decisive move aimed at ensuring national security and safeguarding the interests of the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K Police have taken stringent action against individuals found to be providing shelter to Rohingyas in the region,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, Anand Jain, told reporters on Tuesday evening.
The arrests were made from Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch and Rajouri districts, while 10 Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals were booked in Doda, Jain said.
Seven FIRs were registered at different police stations in Jammu where the police parties swooped on the Rohingya slums at over two dozen places and carried out house-to-house searches.
“Some locals have provided their plots of land to settle the outside immigrants. We are checking and identifying these facilitators, who are also availing the government benefits for them,” IGP Jammu said.
Thorough investigations and intelligence reports, it has come to light that certain elements have been involved in facilitating the illegal settlement of Rohingyas, posing potential threats to the security and socio-economic fabric of the UT of J&K, he said adding that the presence of undocumented and unauthorized individuals not only poses security challenges but also has the potential to strain local resources.”
“The facilitators, once apprehended, will be subject to legal proceedings, and any violation of laws pertaining to national security and immigration will be dealt with firmly,” IGP Jammu said.
He said that seven FIRs were lodged at FIR No. 270, FIR No. 352, FIR No.107, FIR No. 184, FIR No. 191, FIR No. 370 and FIR No. 527 at Satwari Bahu Fort, Bagh-e-Bahu, Channi Himmat, Nowabad, Domana and police stations respectively against people accused of providing shelter to the foreign immigrants.
The case was registered under various sections of Indian Penal Code including 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of important documents), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document)
Searches were conducted at approximately 40 locations in the area of seven police stations in which 39 abettors were also taken for questioning.
During searches, IGP Jammu said, documents have been seized in raids at different locations which include Account Books where transactions between Rohingyas and plot owners maintained; Passbooks; rent agreement between Rohingyas and owners of the Plot (facilitator); Aadhaar Card No. 379803635025 of one Rohingya lady who got married to a local boy; Credit Card and its information regarding who issued the Credit Card; Mobile phones of owners and Rohingyas; Sims issued to Rohingyas by different individuals; Revenue records of the owners where Rohingyas were staying; Water and electricity bills details connecting owners to the Rohingyas; Vehicle RC Details used by Rohingyas; and Bank documents among other incriminating material.
“Investigation into the matter has started and other details will be shared subsequently. Stringent action in the future shall be taken against all such defaulters,” he said.
“Three conspirators among four persons arrested for creating fake Aadhaar and Ration Card of Rohingya man Mohd Numaan, son of Muhib ullah, resident of Tang Bazar district Bothi Dang state Arkaan Myanmar (Burma) who is living in village Dhargloon since 2013,” he said.
“Some locals have provided their plots of land to settle the outside immigrants. We are checking and identifying these facilitators, who are also availing the government benefits for them,” deputy inspector general (DIG), Jammu-Samba-Kathua range, Shakti Pathak, told reporters outside a Rohingya settlement.
Pathak, who was supervising the crackdown, said some 30 locations under seven police stations were searched in the Jammu city.
“Mohd Numaan married one local girl Farzana Kosser, daughter of Nazir Ahmed caste gujjar, resident of Dhargloon in the year 2016. He in conspiracy with his Father-in-law Nazir Ahmed, son of Mohd Yousaf, resident of Dhargloon hatched a criminal conspiracy for preparing fake Aadhaar card and getting his name entered as family member in his Ration card by using the Fake Aadhaar card which was prepared in conspiracy with two others persons namely (Waseem Akram, son of Mohd Hafeez, resident of Dhargloon who is running a internet Cafe at Dhargloon,” IGP said adding that Waseem Akram asked Mohd Numaan (Rohingya) to manage an Endorsement Certificate from a Village Head i.e Sarpanch or Panch in the given Proforma, on which he prepared the Adhaar Card of Rohingya person.
Mohd Sayaf, son of Mohd Hussain (Panch), resident of Dhargloon as a part of this larger conspiracy endorsed as Village Headman on given Performa and gave false verification of Mohd Numaan i.e (Rohingya) and facilitated the preparation of his Fake Aadhaar card, IGP said adding that in this connection a case FIR no 117/2023 under Sections 120-B, 420,465,468,471, 109 IPC was registered at PS Gursai.
During the course of Investigation Mohd Numaan was arrested on November 30, 2023 and is presently in judicial custody.
Yesterday, IGP said, during further course of investigation house search of his father-in -law Nazir Ahmed was conducted in presence of Executive Magistrate. He alongwith 02 others namely Mohd Sayaf and Waseem Akram were arrested in the instant case and some Incriminating Documents were also recovered from the house and so far total 04 persons got arrested in this case and further investigation is going on.
Meanwhile, Kishtwar Police succeeded in arrest of 13 persons, which includes six Rohingyas and seven other their supporters as Rohingyas with the help locals of Dachan area procured Domicile Certificates, Aadhaar Card, Voter cards and Ration Cards, police spokesperson said.
“In this connection case, FIR No. 22/2023 Under section 420/465/467/468/471/120-B/IPC was registered at PS Dachhan, and the investigation is being vigorously investigated,” spokesperson said adding that police has arrested individuals so as to dismantle the support system who include Mushtaq Ahmed, son of Dilawar Sheikh, resident of Krosa Sounder Dachhan, age 35 yrs; Zinta Begum, wife of Mushtaq Ahmed, resident of Myanmar at present Krosa Sounder Dachhan, age 24 yrs (Myanmar); Fayaz Ahmed, son of Ghulam Ahmed, resident of Kiyar Dachhan, age 35 Yrs; Anwara Begum, wife of Fayaz Ahmed, resident of Myanmar at present Kiyar Dachhan, age 27 Yr (Myanmar); Sadam Hussain, son of Ghulam Hussain, resident of Sagarna Sounder Dachhan, age 28 Yrs; Shabu Begum, wife of Sadam Hussain, resident of Myanmar at present Sagarna Sounder Dachhan, age 31 yrs (Myanmar); Ghulam Mohd Sheikh, son of Abdula Sheikh, resident of Krosa Sounder Dachhan, age 33 yrs; Tanveer Ahmed, son of Ghulam Nabi, resident of Tander Dachhan, age 31 yrs; Laila Begum, wife of Tanveer Ahmed, resident Myanmar at present Tander Dachhan, age 25 Yrs (Myanmar); Shahnawaz Magray, son of Ghulam Hassan Magray, resident of Sounder Dachhan, age 33 yrs; Hassina Jan, wife of Shahnawaz Ahmed Magray, resident of Myanmar at present Sounder Dachhan, (Myanmar); Zahoor Ahmed, son of Abdul Aziz, reside4nt of Kiyar Dachhan, age 27 yrs; Shaheena Begum alias Horinisa, resident of Myanmar at present Kiyar Dachhan, age 41 yrs (Myanmar).
“The arrests were carried out based on credible evidences, and the individuals are being investigated for their alleged involvement in activities contrary to law and public order,” spokesperson said.
In Doda, in a special drive to check on the activities of foreigner’s nationals, Doda Police has registered three FIRs against 10 Foreigners (Ruhingias and Bangladeshi nationals) and their facilitators for illegally procuring Indian identity documents like, Domicile Certificates, Aadhaar Cards, Ration Cards, Voter ID Cards and PAN Cards etc and illegally staying in District Doda.
After conducting a detailed discrete enquiry regarding illegally staying of foreigners (Rohingyas and Bangladeshi) at various locations of this District a case FIR No. 119/2023 under relevant provisions of law has been registered at PS Bhaderwah against the accused persons, namely Raheela Begum, wife Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh, resident of Myanmar, at present Udrana Tehsil Bhaderwah, Shakeela Begum, wife of Muhammad Iqbal Sheikh, resident of Myanmar at present Akhrut Bagh Chinote Tehsil Bhaderwah, Jahan Ara, wife of Imran Hussain, resident of Myanmar at present Chakrabhati Sindara Tehsil Bhalla, Meem Bano, wife of Adil Hussain, resident of Myanmar at present Kodsu Khellani Tehsil Bhalla and Muskan Banoo, daughter of Imram Hussain, resident of Myanmar at present Chakrabhati Sindara Tehsil Bhalla, spokesperson said.
Similarly, spokesperson said, a case FIR No. 93/2023 under relevant provisions of law has been registered at PS Gandoh against Rohingias and their facilitators, namely Zavaira Begum, wife Tanveer Ahmed, resident of Myanmar at present Tantly Inharra Gandoh, Shabnam Begum, wife of Mazoor Ahmed, resident of Myanmar, at present Hallore Gandoh, Noor Bhar, wife of Tariq Hussain, resident of Myanmar at present Kakoo Gandoh and Zeenat Begum, wife of Mohd Shafi resident of Myanmar, at present Batoli Kahara.
A detailed inquiry has been conducted and it emerged that these Rohingyas managed to enter District Doda and illegally procured Indian identity documents for disclosing their identity as permanent resident of District Doda, spokesperson said.
In another case FIR No. 104/2023 under Section 07/14-C, 06/14 Foreigners Act 420/120-B, IPC was registered at PS Bhaderwah against one Bangladeshi national namely Nusrat Jahan, daughter of Abdul Majeed Dewan resident of Dhaka Bangladesh A/P Malnai Tehsil Bhalla and her facilitators for illegally overstaying/violating visa norms and procuring Indian identity documents, spokesperson said adding that during course of on-going investigation Police has conducted house searches and recovered incriminating materials which are seized as evidences.
In district Rajouri, police arrested one person from Laam area of Nowshera for facilitating a Rohingya woman namely Haleema, daughter of Mohd Nazir, resident of Mayanmar, at present Narwal Bala, Jammu.
The arrested person has been identified as Lal Din, son of Chidia, resident of Kampla Mohra, Tehsil Qila Darhal & District Rajouri, spokesperson saqid adding that a criminal case under FIR No. 215/2023 was registered at PS Nowshera under offences of Sections 420, 467 IPC & 14 Foreigners Act.
During investigation one accused namely Haleema was arrested earlier by Police on October 19, 2023 and later on released by Court of Law on bail on October 30, 2023.
Carrying forward the investigation into the instant FIR, the house of one Lal Din was searched and some important documents having evidentiary value have been seized in instant case, spokesperson said adding that after collection of sufficient evidences indicating the involvement of Lal Din.
In the instant case surfaced, police arrested him and further questioning is going on.
According to government data, more than 13,700 foreigners, most of them Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, are settled in Jammu and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir, where their population increased by over 6,000 between 2008 and 2016.
In March 2021, police found over 250 Rohingyas, including women and children, living illegally in Jammu city during a verification drive and lodged them in a holding centre inside the Kathua Sub-Jail.
SSP Jammu Vinod Kumar, SP City Kulbir Handa and SP South Shaheen Wahid were also present during press briefing at DPL Jammu.