Refugees claiming to be 'Burmese' at Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal
New Delhi, May 11 2012:
At a make shift camp in an open space nearby an old Mosque, in Masjid Sultan Ghari in south Delhi, a group of refugees claiming to come from Myanmar are being sheltered under police protection.
Shajjid in his late twenties and living in the camp explained that they have been forcefully evicted three days ago from Vasant Vihar, where they earlier took shelter.
When asked why there are police barricades, the lad replied that there is possibility of tension in the community, since they are Muslims and the land belongs to the local Hindus, he informed.
The refugees numbering more than five hundred lives in small tent camps, thought the lad claimed that the number would be even more than that.
They came all the way by road , train, most of them have scattered in different parts of the country Sajjid said.
He further explained that Muslim communities in Delhi support and help them and provide their basic food and water.
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Speaking in fluent Hindi, the lad further explained that they are applying for refugee status from UNHCR ( United Nations Human Rights Commission on Refugees).
On asked what they would do after that , the lad explained that they would demand for basic rights and facilities to be provided under the refugees status.
Showing a Myanmar identity card explaining that it was issued by the Myanmar Government identifying them as 'traitor', the lad lamented "We are not wanted in Myanmar , not wanted in Bangladesh nor Pakistan or India, where should we go ?" he asked.
Sajjid said that they are presently waiting for the UNHCR meeting with their representative slated to be held on May 15, after which "something" will be done for them as promised by the UN body.
The present arrangement for the make shift camp according to the lad was also undertaken by the UNHRC.
And that they have to be relocated after May 15 , otherwise tension may arise, informed Sajjid.