New Delhi, July 31: The central government on Tuesday reiterated Rohingyas living in the country are infiltrators and illegal occupants. Union Home Minister Rajath Singh and his junior Kiren Rijiju maintained that Rohingyas should be deported. The debate over Rohingyas was initiated in Lok Sabha by Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant who questioned how authorities are providing Aadhaar and Voter ID to Rohingyas living in various states of the country.

Responding to Swant, Rajnath Singh said that an advisory had been issued to states to monitor those who have already come to their region and “keep them at one place and not let them spread”. The minister said the states had been asked to inform the Centre about the number of Rohingyas residing within their territory. The data will be conveyed to the Ministry of External Affairs which will then get in touch with the Myanmar government to deport them, he added.

"Once we get the exact data on NRC, we will give it to the MEA, and the MEA along with the coordination with the Myanmar govt will take action on the deportation of Rohingyas," Rajnath said. "Border Security Force and Assam Rifles are deployed to stop further infiltration of Rohingyas. Have issued an advisory to states to monitor those who have already come and keep them in one place and not let them spread. States also have right to deport them," he added.

In the Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP Sugata Bose said, “We have also told Myanmar that we are ready to assist them in providing facilities to Rohingyas when they return". Responding to it, Kiren Rijiju said that the priority of the government is to take care of its citizens first. He also said that India is providing shelter to millions of refugee.

"No Rohingya will be getting any legal document to show they are Indians. If there is evidence, the member may produce the details; we'll investigate," Rijiju said. “We have also told Myanmar that we are ready to assist them in providing facilities to Rohingyas when they return,” he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2018 12:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).