While the media is seriously discussing issues related to the deportation of Rohingya Muslim refugees in the country, a few families of the “illegal immigrants” from Myanmar living in various parts of the district are eagerly waiting for a favourable decision.
‘We understood the meaning of peaceful life only after we started living here, showing his refugee identity card issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Aminullah, a 56-year-old refugee from Myanmar, said.
The family of Aminullah, including his wife Fulshuna and five children, are one of the five Rohingya families who have been staying in the district for the past few months.
‘‘We are lucky when compared to the other members of our group who are leading a miserable life in various refugee camps in the country. But, how long we don’t know,’’ Aminullah told The Hindu.
Amanullah along with his family came here as per the invitation of the authorities of Wayanad Muslim Orphanage (WMO) at Muttil a year ago after roaming in various refugee camps, including 20 days in Bangladesh and a few days in Kolkata, Delhi, and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, he said.
His elder daughter Noor Fathima was married to Muhammed Anwar Sadhik of the refugee group recently and they are living near their apartment. His two daughters and a son are studying in standards VI, IV and II respectively in a school run by the WMO.
However, he has memories of death and destruction in his home village in Rakhine State.
‘‘We had lived there for years, for generations. I had a restaurant in my village town, but when they started to shoot and kill people and burnt down everything, we were forced to leave the place,’’ he said.
‘‘We decided not to stay in Myanmar because of the violence,’’ said Fulshuna. Rohingya were not considered as citizens in the country, she said. She said they were not permitted to travel freely, unable to attend school or work. Here, our children were getting free education and neighbours were very friendly, she said.
According to police records, as many as 15 members of five Rohingya families are staying in different parts of the district for the past many months. ‘‘We are awaiting the directive from the Supreme Court before initiating any legal action but, the refugees are under the surveillance of the police to ensure that they do not get involved in any kind of illegal activities,’’ Arul R.B. Krishna, Wayanad Police Chief said.