New Delhi: The Union government on Monday told the Supreme Court (SC) that it has intelligence inputs of links between some Rohingya Muslims and Pakistan’s ISI and the Islamic State, making them “a serious security threat to the country”.

The affidavit firmly argued for deporting the Rohingya refugees

In its affidavit in the SC, the Centre further said that militant elements among the Rohingya are active in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mewar and Jammu.

The Centre added that it will place all intelligence inputs in a sealed envelope before SC on October 3 to prove its claim that Rohingyas are a security threat.

The Centre further said that there is an “organised network of touts operating in Myanmar and West Bengal and Tripura to facilitate the influx of illegal Rohingya” refugees into India.

The Centre said many Rohingya have “illegally” got voter identity cards and PAN cards, and some are “using the ‘hawala’ route to raise money for illegal activities”.

In its 15 page affidavit, filed in the SC on a plea by the Rohingya against their deportation, the Centre hinted that the SC shouldn’t interfere in executive policy dealing with illegal Rohingya migrants.

The affidavit firmly argued for deporting the Rohingya refugees.

The Centre said that the influx of the Rohingya refugees started in 2012, as the top court directed the hearing on October 3 of a petition challenging their deportation to Myanmar.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud directed the hearing for October as the Centre told the bench that they would be filing their response during the day.

Adjourning the hearing, the court asked the petitioner and others to file their rejoinder to the Centre’s stand before the next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the government’s stand to deport Rohingya refugees was in the nation’s interest.

“It is a sensitive matter. Whatever government will do, will be in nation’s interest,” Rijiju told reporters ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on Rohingya Muslims who have fled from Myanmar and a large number of them are in India.

Rijiju said the government’s way forward would be based on national interest.

He also requested the international human rights bodies not to spread misinformation about India and said: “India is a sovereign country and protecting the nation is our duty.”