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Jammu, Oct 22 (IANS) Following an order of the Executive Magistrate (Tehsildar) on Wednesday, officials of the Power Development Department (PDD) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) department cut off electricity and water supply to the illegally settled Rohingya people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jammu city.
The crackdown on illegally settled Rohingya refugees at the beginning of the winter season began following an order by the Tehsildar, directing the PDD and PHE departments to cut off electricity and water supply to Rohingyas living near Nidesh Enclave in Channi Rama area of Jammu city.
The executive magistrate’s order said, “This office has received an application from the President of Nidesh Enclave Residents Welfare Association, Channi Ram, Jammu, requesting for eviction of illegal Rohingyas near Nidesh Enclave, Channi Ram, Jammu since a group of Rohingyas has illegally occupied a plot of land and constructed slums (Also) have started unauthorized scrap business and their disposal causes serious law and order, hygiene and safety concerns for the residents.
“It is also pertinent to mention that according to the applicant, the Rohingyas are engaged in loud skirmishes and fighting, thereby disturbing the peace in the area and also leading to unhygienic conditions in the area due to lack of sanitation.
“In this regard, you are requested to disconnect the electricity and water supply to the said plot of land occupied by Rohingyas near Nidhesh Enclave Channi Rama, Jammu.”
Let us tell you that a community of Rohingya refugees have fled persecution in Myanmar and settled in Jammu. Their presence has become a contentious political issue in the region, especially since the BJP came to power at the Centre.
When the first wave of refugees from Myanmar reached Jammu, they lived in peace and found work as daily wage laborers in areas like Narwal, Bathandi and Channi Himmat.
According to government figures, more than 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya, are settled in Jammu. However, local officials put the number of Rohingya refugees at closer to 10,000.
–IANS
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