Mamata govt settling Rohingyas in Darjeeling hills, alleges BJP minister

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi dated May 3, SS Ahluwalia claimed that more than 320 families have been settled in places such as Deolo, Lava forest, Melli and Rangpo.

Union minister state for drinking water and sanitation and BJP MP from Darjeeling SS Ahluwalia, has alleged that the West Bengal government is settling Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in the north Bengal hills thereby compromising the country’s security.

BJP MP from Darjeeling SS Ahluwalia has alleged that the West Bengal government is settling Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in the north Bengal hills.(AFP File Photo/For Representation)

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi dated May 3, a copy of which is with Hindustan Times, Ahluwalia claimed that more than 320 families have been settled in places such as Deolo, Lava forest, Melli and Rangpo.

“Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and the Dooars region share three international borders, all of which are porous and settlement of Rohingyas in the sensitive region can pose a serious national security threat,” Ahluwalia wrote in the letter.

The letter came six days after Bimal Gurung, the fugitive Gorkha Janmuki Morca (GJM) leader from Darjeeling, also wrote to the Prime Minister mentioning suspicious movement of new people in Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills. Gurung expressed fear that Rohingya refugees were being pushed into the hilly region.

Incidentally, a group of Rohingya refugees are staying in Baruiipur in the South 24 Parganas since March this year.

Binoy Tamang, chairman of the board of administrators in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) which is backed by the Trinamool Congress government has rubbished the claims of Ahluwalia and Gurung. “Let the Centre use all its agencies to find out if Rohingya refugees are living in the Darjeeling hills,” said Tamang.

Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), youth wing of the BJP, also claims that Rohingyas are living in different parts of Darjeeling hills. “The GTA board of administrators is aware of this,” the BJYM alleged in a letter written to Ahluwalia on May 2.

A day later later, Ahluwalia wrote to the Prime Minister.