Omar Abdullah Questions Sudden Deportation Action After 150 Flown Out of J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has raised questions over the sudden action taken against 150 alleged Bangladeshi nationals who were picked up from across the Union Territory and airlifted to West Bengal for deportation. Speaking a day after the movement, Omar described the timing and manner of the action as “a bit strange”.

Omar said that, from his perspective, the presence of these people had not caused any particular harm in Jammu and Kashmir. At the same time, he acknowledged that individuals who are staying illegally cannot be permitted to remain in the Union Territory.

The Chief Minister also spoke about Rohingyas and alleged that they were being unfairly targeted. According to Omar, the issue was not entirely within the control of the Jammu and Kashmir administration. He said that the government at the Centre was using the police to move the people out.

Omar referred to the earlier circumstances in which Rohingyas had been given refuge in Jammu and Kashmir. He said they had been provided a limited space to stay while conditions in their country were expected to improve. Against this background, he questioned why action was being taken suddenly.

“We gave them (Rohingyas) refuge here, a little space, and allowed them to stay here until conditions in their country improved,” Omar said, adding that the sudden action appeared unusual to him.

The remarks come after 150 alleged Bangladeshi nationals were transported out of Jammu and Kashmir and flown to West Bengal. The development has brought renewed attention to the issue of people staying illegally in the Union Territory and the government's approach towards their deportation.

Omar's comments reflect a distinction between illegal stay and the manner in which enforcement action is being carried out. While he acknowledged that people cannot remain in Jammu and Kashmir illegally, he questioned the sudden nature of the operation and raised concerns over what he described as the targeting of Rohingyas.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also made it clear that, according to him, the action was being driven by the Centre rather than solely by the Union Territory administration. He said the Centre was using the police to facilitate the movement of those being removed.

The issue has therefore emerged as a point of political and administrative debate, with Omar Abdullah questioning both the timing of the action and the treatment of Rohingyas, while also recognising the legal issue surrounding illegal residence.