Shifting of illegal Myanmar, Bangladeshi immigrants: File objections in 2 weeks: J&K HC to state

Jammu, Feb 28: Jammu and Kashmir High Court has granted two weeks' time to the state to file objections in a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to hold an inquiry to identify all illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh living in the state. A Division Bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, at its Jammu Wing comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Alok Aradhe, yesterday granted two weeks' time to the state for filing objections/response in a PIL filed by Advocate Hunar Gupta, also member of BJP Legal Cell. Meanwhile, in an application filed by one Mohammad Younus, son of Hosin Akhter, through Advocate appearing for the residents of Myanmar and Bangladesh seeking intervener in the PIL, the Division Bench also granted two weeks time to petitioner for filing objections. The PIL has further sought direction to the state to shift all the illegal immigrants of Myanmar and Bangladesh from J&K to any other place as no Refugee Camp has ever been declared either by the state or by the United Nations in the state of J&K besides seeking direction for withdrawal of all the benefits provided to the illegal immigrants of Bangladesh and Myanmar from the state exchequer and from the schemes and benefits meant for residents of state of J&K. The PIL has expressed concern over the abrupt increase in number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar during the past few years. As per the government version 13,400 Myanmari and Bangladeshi illegal immigrants are living in various areas of the state. It was also claimed in the PIL that due to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar there will be increase in pro-separatist as well as anti-India activities in the state.