Over 300 Rohingya Refugees vanish from Baruipur Camp (West Bengal): Local authorities clueless

BI News, Kolkata, May’29: In a concerning development, 330 Rohingya refugees have suddenly disappeared from a settlement in the Hardaha area of Baruipur, leaving local authorities puzzled and raising serious questions about internal migration and border control.

According to reports, the refugees had been brought to the camp nearly six months ago from Delhi, with promises of food, shelter, and employment. However, no job opportunities were ever arranged, and the group became dependent on local villagers, who supported them with basic necessities such as rice, lentils, and clothing. The prolonged lack of support had pushed many of the refugees into dire conditions.

The Rohingya presence in Baruipur dates back to 2017, when families began settling in the area after entering India illegally via Myanmar and Bangladesh. Makeshift tin shelters, kitchens, and toilets were constructed for them, and the community became a permanent fixture in the area — earning the nickname “Rohingyaland” among locals.

However, the entire group has now vanished without a trace. Authorities are unsure whether they returned to Bangladesh or relocated to another part of India in secrecy. The sudden disappearance has reignited concerns over undocumented movement and security lapses.

Hossain Gazi, a local resident who played a key role in accommodating the Rohingya families, stated, “They had refugee cards issued by the government, so it’s incorrect to call their stay here illegal. But after pushbacks from Assam and Guwahati, many became fearful and fled overnight.”

With no official word on their whereabouts, the administration is facing increasing pressure to investigate the disappearance and reassess the current systems in place for monitoring refugee populations. The absence of any concrete leads raises pressing questions: Where have the Rohingyas gone? And what does this mean for future refugee policy in India?

PC: Internet Sources