The Haryana Police had been working tirelessly to identify those responsible for the violence and restore order. And it was their efforts that had led to the arrest of several Rohingya refugees. According to Narender Bijarniya, the superintendent of police in Nuh, these refugees had illegally occupied land that belonged to the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran in Tauru. This led to a demolition drive which ultimately led to violence.
But it wasn’t just their illegal occupation that caused concern. Some of these refugees had been identified as having pelted stones and been part of the mob that carried out the violent attacks on July 31. The authorities had no choice but to take swift action to protect the innocent citizens of Haryana.
The news of the arrest of the 17 refugees spread like wildfire through the Rohingya refugee camps. Fear and tension mounted, and whispers of conspiracy theories filled the air.
Sabber Kyaw Min, the founder and director of the Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, stood before the desperate community and tried to assuage their fears.
He explained that the natives had been arrested because there was full proof of their involvement in the violence that had occurred in the camp. Many of them were just trying to make ends meet by working as rickshaw pullers, ragpickers, and vegetable sellers. But they had been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and had gotten involved in the fight.
The FRRO officers had a list of names and had identified some of the refugees based on their involvement in the violence. It was a difficult pill to swallow, but the truth had to be faced.
As the tension eased, Sabber Kyaw Min reassured the refugees that the NGO would work with the authorities to ensure that justice was done.
The sound of bulldozers echoed through the streets as the heavily armed forces began their surprise demolition on Thursday. The refugees were taken aback, thrown out of their makeshift homes with no warning. Fear glide into their hearts, and the community worried about what would happen to them next.
Some were asked to appear before a special branch of the police, leaving them anxious and uncertain. The thought of arbitrary detention lingered in the air like a dark cloud, and tension hung heavily over the refugee camp.
He understood that if any refugee was involved in illegal activities, the NGO would assist the police, but he couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the sudden raids.
“These people are being treated like dacoits or criminals. It’s unfair and discriminatory. The situation in the camp is grim, and people live in faithful fear. They’re trying to make their ends meet, yet they’re being made to feel unsafe and harassed.”
The sound of bulldozers echoed across the small town of Nuh as the demolition drive to remove illegal properties occupied by Rohingya refugees was underway. It was a daunting task, with over 50 such properties identified across the area. However, with the relevant agencies and the support of the police, the drive was in full swing.
