AMN / WEB DESK
Soon after Union minister of housing and urban affairs Hardeep Puri announced the Centre’s ‘plan’ to resettle Rohingya refugees in Delhi, the ministry of home affairs on Wednesday clarified that it has not issued any such directive to provide economically weaker section (EWS) flats to the “illegal foreigners”.
Home Ministry clarified that it has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi.
Delhi government proposed to shift the Rohingyas to a new location. Home Ministry said in a release that it has directed the Delhi government to ensure that the Rohingya illegal foreigners will continue at the present location at Kanchan Kunj, Madanpur Khadar as Home Ministry has already taken up the matter of deportation of illegal foreigners with the concerned country through the Ministry of External Affairs.
It said illegal foreigners are to be kept in the Detention Centre till their deportation as per law. Delhi government has not declared the present location as a Detention Centre and they have been directed to do it immediately.
“Govt of Delhi proposed to shift the Rohingyas to a new location. MHA has directed the GNCTD to ensure that the Rohingya illegal foreigners will continue at the present location as MHA has already taken up the matter of their deportation with the concerned country through MEA. Illegal foreigners are to be kept in Detention Centre till their deportation as per law. The Government of Delhi has not declared the present location as a Detention Centre. They have been directed to do the same immediately,” the MHA added.
Puri had earlier in the day said the Centre planned to resettle around 1,100 Rohingyas, currently living in tents in Madanpur Khadar area of the national capital, to flats with basic facilities and round-the-clock security in another part of Delhi.
“India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision, all Rohingya refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs and round-the-clock Delhi Police protection,” Puri announced in his tweet. “India respects and follows the United Nations refugee convention 1951 and provides refuge to all, regardless of their race, religion or creed.”