Illegal Rohingya Immigrants Arrested in Uttar Pradesh: ATS Operation Nets 74

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has detained 74 Rohingya immigrants for alleged illegal residence in India. The detainees were found in various districts, with 31 in Mathura, 17 in Aligarh, 16 in Hapur, four each in Ghaziabad and Meerut, and two in Saharanpur. The group includes 55 men, 14 women, and five children.

The ATS received information about the presence of Rohingyas residing illegally in Uttar Pradesh after crossing the Indian border. After verification by district and field units, the ATS, with the assistance of local police, conducted the operation resulting in the arrests.

The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim community who fled Myanmar due to severe persecution by the army. In India, the Rohingya Human Rights Initiative estimates that around 18,000 members of the community currently reside.

Notably, India lacks a specific refugee or asylum law, despite being a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention that calls for the protection of refugees’ rights by its signatory nations.