The system has been negligent, allowing permanent residency to Rohingyas and there is a need to investigate how they are getting Aadhaar, voter IDs, and ration cards, says Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan.
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Expressing concerns that the migration of Rohingyas would pose a threat to internal security and employment in the State, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has said that the police must remain alert even as the armed forces keep a strict vigil along the international borders.

“The southern States are soft targets for terrorists. A strict vigil must be maintained on the suspicious movements along the coastline,” he said while addressing the media in Vijayawada on Tuesday.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan said he had written a letter to the Director General of Police (DGP), stressing the need to step up vigil, “given traces of terrorist presence in the State”.

“Strict action should be taken against those linked to terrorism. Proper surveillance of migrants can help prevent potential threats. Additionally, continuous monitoring along the coast is essential. In the past, there were reports of unknown individuals arriving in Kakinada by boats,” Mr. Pawan Kalyan said.

Stating that there was a need to observe “new individuals” and their activities in coastal areas, he said that the police must take appropriate precautions regarding internal security.

A recent joint operation by the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh police reportedly uncovered some traces of terrorist activity in the State. “In the past, large numbers of Rohingya migrants entered various regions of Andhra Pradesh from West Bengal, especially between 2017–18. Many had come from Kolkata for goldsmith-related work,” he said. 

Jobs for locals

The Rohingyas are originally from Myanmar and their migration is causing unemployment among the local youth, the Deputy Chief Minister observed. A key demand in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is that jobs should be reserved for the locals. One of the three main demands behind the formation of Telangana was job priority for the locals.

The Rohingyas are settling down permanently in India by obtaining ration cards, Aadhaar cards, and voter IDs. They are taking up jobs and businesses that rightfully belong to our youth. “The system has been negligent, allowing permanent residency to Rohingyas. There is a need to investigate how they are getting Aadhaar, voter IDs, and ration cards — and who is issuing them. It seems that some people within our system are helping them,” Mr. Pawan Kalyan said.  

“Awareness must spread about how Rohingyas are undermining our opportunities by becoming citizens. The administrative machinery aiding this transformation should be closely watched, and stricter internal security measures are necessary. I have written a letter regarding this,” he added.