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Indian gov't confirm plans to deport some 40,000 illegal Rohingyas

NEW DELHI, Aug 18 (KUNA) -- India on Friday confirmed reports that it intends to deport an estimated 40,000 Rohingyas illegally residing in India after fleeing persecution from their native Myanmar.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed the number, saying that "some inputs say that almost 40,000 Rohingya are staying in India, illegally," he said.
"The government is bound to deport illegal immigrants under section 32C of the Foreigner Act dealing with the question of foreigners," he added.
The remarks came following India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asked for government clarification of media reports stating the numbers and condemned the deportation plans.
"Refugees are no doubt foreign nationals but they are human beings and before taking a big step, the Government of India has to look into every aspect of the situation.
The Indian human rights body said the Rohingyas "have a fear of persecution" if sent back home, and that the Indian constitution ensures the right to life and personal liberty for all irrespective of their nationality.
"India has been home to refugees, for centuries. It has continued to receive a large number of refugees from different countries," said the NHRC.
The majority of the Muslim ethnic group, who fled religious persecution in Myanmar's Buddhist-majority Western Rakhine State, mainly live in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Rajasthan and Hyderabad. (end) atk.sd