The Jammu district administration’s initiative against Rohingya settlements is becoming increasingly evident, with numerous families disassembling their makeshift homes and vacating slum areas in Jammu. Reports from India Today reveal that the Narwal area has seen several huts pulled down, as families gather their belongings amidst the debris left from previously constructed shelters.

This process has reportedly been ongoing for the last two to three days. Authorities have dispatched notices to property owners where Rohingya families reside, instructing them to clear the land. Consequently, these plot owners have ordered the inhabitants to leave. Observers noted that as structures are dismantled, families are left to navigate an uncertain future with no clear destination in mind.

Residents Express Concerns Amid Eviction

In Narwal, residents have been taking apart the homes they have lived in for several years. One individual stated he had been residing in Jammu since 2012 and earned a living as a daily-wage labourer. He detailed that the plot owner could no longer accommodate them following administrative directives to vacate the land. Many families who once made up a community now find themselves gradually displaced, with some families reportedly consisting of limited members remaining.

Another resident, Lal Mohammad, explained his journey from Myanmar to Bangladesh before settling in Jammu. He has lived in the area for several years but now faces an uncertain future. As families continue to pack their belongings and dismantle their huts, their immediate plans remain unclear, highlighting the distressing situation they are in.

The Jammu administration’s actions have extended beyond Narwal, affecting several settlements where Rohingya families have constructed temporary homes. Property owners are under obligation to uproot these settlements and ensure that their occupants vacate the premises, with warnings of potential penalties for non-compliance. Local stakeholders have also been advised not to rent to Rohingya individuals or permit new settlements on their properties.

Rohingya Population and Security Concerns

Over the past two decades, a significant number of Rohingya Muslims have settled in the Jammu region, leading to the establishment of numerous makeshift colonies throughout the district. Reports estimate the Rohingya population in Jammu and Kashmir exceeds 14,000 individuals, with more than 7,000 residing specifically in Narwal. These figures, however, have not been independently verified and remain subject to scrutiny.

The persistent presence of Rohingyas in Jammu has sparked a debate, with security experts and socio-political entities voicing concerns about the potential implications of their settlement on local demographics. Allegations have arisen regarding the authenticity of documents held by some Rohingya residents, including Aadhaar cards and domicile certificates, raising questions about their legal status. While there have been criminal cases associated with certain individuals, these do not implicate the broader community.

Former Director General of Police Dr SP Vaid has suggested that the Rohingya population be detained in holding centres until preparations for their deportation are fully realised. Currently, the impact of the Jammu administration’s directives is evident within the settlements, as families dismantle their homes. With wooden frames and remnants of shelters strewn across vacated spaces, the future for many remains uncertain after the administration’s eviction procedures have commenced.

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