Following a change in government in New Delhi, India, authorities have begun implementing measures to deport illegal residents back to their countries of origin. This has particularly affected Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, prompting a representative from India For Myanmar to warn Myanmar refugees registered with UNHCR to exercise increased vigilance. The situation has become more stringent following conflicts between Pakistan and India, leading to intensified scrutiny of illegal foreign residents within Indian territories.
The Indian government now has access to refugee data previously held by the UNHCR office in India, as this information has been transferred to state authorities. As a result, those who might be targeted by government investigations are advised to consider temporarily relocating from their UNHCR-registered addresses to other safe and trusted locations. Current reports indicate that over 600 Bangladeshi nationals and approximately 40 Rohingya individuals are currently in detention. The handling of detained individuals has also changed, with many being transferred from detention centers to main prison facilities.
Those considered at lower risk are strongly advised not to travel without proper documentation recognized by the Indian government. They should always carry their UNHCR refugee identification cards (UN Cards) and other relevant documentation with them. The advisory emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe residence until the situation stabilizes. India For Myanmar has also cautioned that those at lower risk should avoid unnecessary panic or attempting to flee without proper documentation. The organization stresses that Myanmar nationals should not take their current freedom for granted and should exercise extreme caution in all aspects of their daily lives, as being detained could result in deportation to Myanmar, with limited chances of release.
