Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan said on Tuesday that southern states are vulnerable targets for terrorists, and that the migration of Rohingyas into the state is causing unemployment. Speaking at Vijayawada, the Jana Sena Party chief said that he has written to the state police to maintain strict vigil against “internal threats”.
“As much as soldiers are protecting the country safely on the borders, it is crucial that the police department is also constantly vigilant in internal security within the country. Rohingya migration is causing unemployment and (posing an) internal security threat. Some people in the system are involved in helping them settle down permanently here,” he said.
“Police should be more vigilant than the soldiers on the borders. We know that southern states are sensitive targets of terrorists. Surveillance should be kept on the movements of strangers arriving on the coast. I have written to the DGP to maintain strict vigil along the coast,” he said.
“Heinous attacks in the past prove that the southern states are a sensitive target for terrorists. The terrorist attacks in Coimbatore and areas still make your heart skip a beat,” he said.
He said he wrote to the police to be extra vigilant after a person with alleged terrorist connections was traced to the state, referring to a joint operation conducted by the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh police.
“I suggested that strict action be taken against those who support terrorism, in coordination with the administrative machinery. If proper surveillance is maintained, especially in the case of migrants, future incidents can be prevented. There is also a need to increase continuous monitoring and surveillance in the coastal area. In the past, there were some reports of people coming from outside on boats in Kakinada. Keep a watch on who is landing on our coasts,” he said.
The JSP chief said there should be a focus on Rohingya migration. “In the past, Rohingya migrants came to many parts of Andhra Pradesh from West Bengal. Especially in 2017-18, a large number came to various parts of the state from to work as goldsmiths. The roots of the Rohingya are in Myanmar. With their migration, the local youth are facing the problem of unemployment. The main demand is jobs for locals in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh… However, the Rohingyas are getting ration, Aadhaar and voter cards to establish permanent residence here after coming from across the country. They are doing jobs and businesses that should belong to our youth,” he said.
“Our system is negligent in establishing permanent residence for the Rohingyas. How are they getting Aadhaar, voter and ration cards? It is clear who is giving them. It is understood that some people in our system are cooperating with them. Everyone should be made aware of how the Rohingyas are becoming citizens of this country and robbing us of our opportunities,” Kalyan said.
