NEW DELHI, Sept 18 - Terming the Rohingya refugees as �illegal� immigrants, the government today told the Supreme Court that some of them were part of a �sinister� design of Pakistan�s ISI and terror groups such as the ISIS, whose presence in the country will pose a �serious� national security threat.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made its stand clear in a much-awaited affidavit in the apex court, in which it also said the fundamental right to settle in any part of the country was available only to citizens and not the Rohingyas.
It categorically stated that the apex court should not invoke its jurisdiction, as the issue of Rohingyas �fell under the exclusive domain of policy decision of the executive�.
The affidavit was filed hours after a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra considered the statement of Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the government would file its reply in the course of the day on the PIL by two Rohingyas, challenging their deportation.
The affidavit was submitted as a response to a plea, filed by Rohingya immigrants Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, claiming they had taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community there.
In the matter which will be heard next on October 3, the MHA said the �continuance of Rohingyas� illegal immigration into India and their continued stay in India, apart from being absolutely illegal, is found to be having serious national security ramifications and has serious security threats.�
Referring to the inputs of security agencies, the affidavit said the �Rohingyas figured in the suspected sinister designs of ISI/ISIS and other extremists groups who want to achieve their ulterior motives in India�.
Moreover, since there was a �serious national security threat/concern�, the government should be allowed to exercise its essential executive function by way of a policy decision to deport the Rohingyas in the larger interest of the nation, the affidavit said.
The affidavit said some Rohingyas were involved in �illegal and anti national activities� like mobilisation of funds through hawala channels, procuring fake Indian ID cards besides indulging in human trafficking.
�A fragile Northeastern corridor may become further destabilised in case of stridency of Rohingya militancy, which the Central Government has found to be growing, if permitted to continue,� it said.
There was also a serious potential and possibility of eruption of violence against the Buddhists who are Indian citizens by radicalised Rohingyas, the MHA document said. � PTI
