Around 1,700 Rohingya families — stateless Muslim refugees from northwest Myanmar — settled in Jammu in 2008. In Narwal’s Qasim Nagar, on the outskirts of the city, a plot of land, dotted with makeshift huts, is what they call home. Most huts at Qasim Nagar have just one room but that’s more than what these Rohingyas, a homeless people, could ask for. The men are labourers at construction sites. “Sometimes we get paid, sometimes we don’t,” says one of them. “But we can’t file a complaint. When you have no nationality, there’s nothing you can do.” The women stay home and look after their large families. Girls are married off young and most mothers give birth in the huts without medical attention. A few Rohingya women try sewing for a livelihood but both money and market are limited.
The Rohingyas continue to live in India without the official refugee status. The matter has been pending before the UNHCR despite repeated attempts by representatives. The official tag will give Rohingyas protection under the law, thus allowing them to seek employment. A refugee card will also give them cover from deportation. As of now they only have a few NGOs to turn to for advice and aid.
Photos by Rudra Rakshit
Text by Lora Tomas