Amid a global outcry over the Rohingya crisis, around 12 such families who recently took shelter at Sonakhali village under Haringhata police station limits in Nadia have been shifted to a camp in North 24 Parganas.

Though, the district administration and local police are tight-lipped over the matter, but the local political leaders have conceded the fact.

“Around 10 to 12 Rohingya families were seen at Sonakhali village a few days ago. But, the Barasat police in North 24 Parganas came here and accompanied them to their area. They have also settled them in a camp”, said Chanchal Debnath, a Trinamul Congress leader in Haringhata.

According to local residents, the Rohingya families were brought by some agencies from an undisclosed location and left alone at a place near Sonakhali village. Later, the refugee familes were given shelter by the villagers for a night and were then taken to North 24 Parganas.

The incident occurred at a time when the Central agencies have written to the Union home ministry alleging that the ruling Trinamul Congress in West Bengal has not only flouted federal policies by facilitating the entry of Rohingyas from Myanmar into the state but also sheltering them.

The allegations were made even as the Border Security Force (BSF) foiled attempts by Rohingyas to enter the country illegally from Bangladesh. In the past two months, the BSF has pushed back at least three teams of 10 to 12 Rohingyas from border points including Swarupnagar and Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district.

According to reports prepared by Subsidiary Intelligence Branch (SIB), some organisations are playing conspiracy to settle down thousands of Rohingyas in North and South 24 Parganas districts.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority group, are fleeing persecution in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State, fuelling a historic migration crisis.

According to a report sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), nearly 40,000 thousand Rohingyas, who are currently staying in various parts of the country, have been reportedly instructed to settle down in the Trinamul Congress-ruled West Bengal.

The SIB report also claims that as many as 40 organisations have been identified, which are allegedly involved in the business of settling down these Rohingyas illegally, and are even collecting money from all over the country.

It further stated that at least 29 Rohingya families have started living in the South 24 Parganas, and in order to settle them, the constructions of new homes have already begun.

These organisations, in question, have reportedly asked the people living in nearby villages to donate their land to Rohingyas so that they can be settled permanently in West Bengal.

Mr. B L Meena, DIG, BSF in Krishnagar said they have increased vigilance across the Nadia-Bangladesh border to prevent any illegal intrusion from Bangladesh side.

The Union government has also asked states to identify Rohingyas, take their biometric details and send them. Union home minister Rajnath Singh had said in Kolkata during his visit to the city to attend the 23rd meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council recently, describing efforts to crack down on illegal immigrants.

“Advisories have been issued to states. They need to identify the Rohingyas, take their biometrics and send us a report. The Centre will initiate action through diplomatic channels with Myanmar and get it resolved,” Mr Singh had added.