Government figures have revealed an important picture regarding the demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the High Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) that a total of 7,656 Rohingya and 504 Bangladeshi citizens have been identified in the state. A large number of these are living in the districts of Jammu division.
According to government figures, 6,737 Rohingyas and 46 Bangladeshi citizens are living in 10 districts of Jammu division. At the same time, 919 Rohingya and 458 Bangladeshi citizens have been identified in Kashmir Valley. That is, a large part of the total Rohingya population identified in Jammu and Kashmir is in Jammu division, while the number of Bangladeshi citizens is said to be relatively higher in the valley.
High level committee reached Jammu on August 10
This information was given by the government when a four-member team of HLCDC (high level commitment on demographic change) made its first field visit to Jammu on August 10. The objective of the committee is to study the demographic changes taking place in the border and adjacent areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
During this, the committee discussed with the officials on issues related to illegal immigration, surveillance and security in border areas. The committee also met representatives of civil society organizations working in Rohingya settlements.
In which districts of Jammu are there Rohingya settlements?
According to government information, Rohingya settlements in Jammu division have been identified in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Ramban districts. Their presence in Kashmir Valley has been recorded in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts.
117 cases registered against Rohingyas
Matters related to the Rohingya community have also been mentioned in the data presented before the committee by the government. Information has been given that 101 cases have been registered against Rohingyas in Jammu division. These cases include 179 men and 21 women. Whereas 16 cases have been reported in Kashmir Valley, which include 41 women and four men. In this way, a total of 117 cases related to Rohingyas have been registered in Jammu and Kashmir.
Concern about security in border areas
Officials told the committee that the number of Rohingya settlements has not increased much in the last two years, but their presence in border areas remains a security concern. Security officials have expressed concern, linking the Rohingyas’ involvement in activities such as organized crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking in some cases. However, these allegations cannot be applied to the entire Rohingya community and the criminal involvement of any individual will have to be determined only by the relevant investigation and legal process.
Why are there more Rohingyas in Jammu?
According to officials, many Rohingyas first fled Myanmar to other cities like Hyderabad and later moved towards Jammu. According to the report, significant activity of their arrival was recorded in Jammu between 2012 and 2017. The most important aspect in this entire matter is that the government is now studying the situation on the basis of data and monitoring of security system regarding illegal immigration and demographic changes in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The latest figures from the government have once again intensified the debate on what is the real situation of illegal immigration in Jammu and Kashmir, what is its impact on the border districts and what further steps should the government take amid security and humanitarian concerns.
