India says no link emerged so far
India's Border Security Force has said that it has so far not found anything to link Rohingyas apprehended in India with terror groups.
Sharma, BSF Director General, said BSF has apprehended 87 Rohingya refugees this year until October 31 and sent 76 of them back to Bangladesh.
He said BSF personnel have interrogated many Rohingya refugees but had not found anything related to terrorism.
"In our assessment, no link of Rohingya refugees with terror activities or groups has emerged…. We have not found any arms or ammunition on Rohingya (refugees) apprehended by us…. But intelligence agencies have given such inputs. I have no reason to doubt them," Sharma said at the annual media conference ahead of the BSF Raising Day on Wednesday.
His remarks come after the Indian Home Ministry had submitted before the Supreme Court in September that the continued presence of an estimated 40,000 Rohingya refugees posed a national security threat. The apex court is hearing a petition filed by two Rohingya refugees opposing Indian government's move to deport them.
Sharma said it is BSF's job to stop illegal immigration, whether from Bangladesh or anywhere else.
"As per my information, there are 9-10 lakh Rohingya (people) in Bangladesh. We know some of it will spill over. We have increased vigil on the border. We are apprehending Rohingya (refugees) and pushing them back — we don't want to arrest them as that creates a liability here," the BSF DG said.
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