Cops To Create Digital Database Of Rohingya

Biometric details of refugees now a priority for police

- Chayyanika Nigam, Himanshu Mishra & Puneet Sharma

The Delhi Police will create a database of Rohingya refugees living in the Capital which will have their biometric details, sources have told Mail Today.

They said that the renewed focus on Rohingya count was on top of the priority list of Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik who is set to retire in January 2020.

“All the DCPs have been asked to submit the nationality verification form of Rohingya refugees, having their personal details. The DCPs of all 15 districts are reporting to DCP (Special Branch) for this issue. Further, the Intelligence unit of Delhi Police will submit the final report to the commissioner within this week,” said a senior police officer, who did not wish to be named.

In October last year, Delhi Police sent out the nationality verification form to the Rohingya refugees living in the city. Written in Burmese along with the English translation, the form sought to know the name, place of birth, religion, eye colour and national identity, along with details of any criminal cases which may prevent them from travelling abroad.

In Oct 2018, cops sent out a verification form

Titled “Personal Data Form,” the form asks a refugee about the family members in Myanmar. In separate columns, it asks for details of applicant’s children and siblings as well as the siblings of their father, mother, and husband or wife.