Cyberabad Police seeks UNHCR Cooperation to monitor Rohingya Refugees

The problem of unmonitored refugees in the limits of Hyderabad & Cyberabad is leading to some security concerns. Under the United National Refugee convention, refugees coming from countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and from Myanmar etc., due to their Govt’s persecution, are issued a ‘Refugee Certificate’ valid for 2 years and renewable after that. This is the only  document that validates their identity. But most of the refugees in Hyderabad- Cyberabad, have entered illegally and  staying illegally. Over a period of time, many of them have obtained voter ID cards, Aadhaar Cards, SIM Cards & Cell Phones. But they are not being monitored by security agencies due and it as emerging as threat to the security.  COVA, an NGO is associated with UNHCR and is responsible for the refugees in Hyderabad – Cyberabad. As per COVA’s records, 1806 Myanmar refugees were registered with COVA and on physical verification, only 1725 refugees are presently staying camps in Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police Commissionerates. Only 461 Myanmar refugees were issued UNHCR cards (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). Camps and the corresponding figures are depicited below.

Sl.No.	Area	No. of Persons
1.	Camp-I, Balapur                        Pahadishareef PS	298
2.	Camp-II Balapur                         Pahadishareef PS	150
3.	Camp- III Balapur                       Pahadishareef PS	87
4.	Royal Colony                             Pahadishareef PS	160
5.	Near Fatima Masjid, Balapur     Pahadishareef PS	258
6.	Baba Nagar              (Kanchanbagh PS)	412
7.	Barkas                     (Chandrayangutta PS)	51
8.	Shaheen Nagar         (Pahadishreef)	127
9.	Shastripuram           (Mailardevpally PS)	29
10.	Kishanbagh              (Bahadurpura PS)	153
	Total	1725

Chief of mission, UNHCR and his team interacting with C.V.Anand

To discuss such details on unidentified refugees, Chief of Mission, UNHCR Mr.William Tall and  his delegation along with COVA’s Mazar Hussain  met Cyberabad Police Commissioner  Mr. C.V.Anand and his team. MrAnand requested that all refugees living in Cyberabad should be brought on record with the immediate issue of long term visas (LTVs) and UNHCR cards so that the local police, intelligence agencies can monitor them. The obstacles in this process were deliberated and the route ahead was discussed. The following action plan has been drawn up to sort out these issues.

   1.    It has been decided that till UNHCR cards  are issued, the COVA will help the local police station to get the concerned Rohingyas staying in their Police Station area registered with all details of family, children, any Sim cards – cell numbers, Aadhaar Cards, Voter ID Cards, Ration Cards, Driving license, etc.

2.            The Police station sector SIs will maintain separate registers for the camps in their sectors for the above purpose.

3.            It is learnt that these Rohingyas are moving in and out of their settlements & travelling to J&K and other states. From now on, they will have to inform the local police station, about their movement and also report to the Police station upon their return.

4.    Their source of livelihood will also be enquired into & noted along with details of any Bank accounts etc.

5.    In association with COVA, Sensitization and Awareness sessions will be held for the Rohingyas.