Jammu and Kashmir: Rohingyas attack police, many injured in stone pelting

Rohingyas who came from Myanmar locked in the holding center of Hiranagar town of Jammu and Kashmir for the last two years clashed with the police on Tuesday morning. In this clash, people from both the sides have suffered injuries. Senior police officials said that the center in-charge and two other staff members were taken hostage. The police went inside to rescue them, after which the clash started. He told that about half a dozen policemen were injured in stone pelting by Rohingyas.

Police lathicharged

Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel resorted to lathicharge and lobbed tear gas shells to control the unruly mob. After this the situation came under control by 11 am. Officials said that the employees of the holding center were rescued from the Rohingyas who also occupied their office.

About a dozen Rohingyas were also injured in this clash. Officials said first aid was given to the injured and there was no serious injury to anyone. The atmosphere inside the holding center in Kathua district has remained tense since last May, with Rohingyas holding demonstrations and hunger strikes at regular intervals. A total of 271 Rohingya are currently held there, including 74 women and 70 children (many born inside the center).

The clash began when the Rohingya took the workers who were opening the barracks in the morning and forced them to leave. As soon as the news spread, a police team from Hiranagar police station reached the spot but they were attacked with stones. Later Kathua SSP Shiv Deep Singh Jamwal along with other police and jail officials reached the center and took stock. He told that now the situation is under control.

Both the Center and the Jammu and Kashmir government had started moving Rohingyas living illegally in Jammu to the holding center in Hiranagar, to be deported to Myanmar. However, his deportation could not take place following an April 2021 Supreme Court order, which said that people detained in Jammu should not be deported without following the procedure laid down by law. Those detained are demanding their immediate release so that they can be reunited with their family members, including children.