Migrants from Pak are living in healthy condition: HC told

New Delhi, Jan 14: The Centre today told Delhi High Court that Hindu migrants from Pakistan were living in shelters in the national capital and getting "healthy food and water".

The Centre also told a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw that as of today, only 385 such migrants were staying here and they were being restrained from shuttling from their locations. "Earlier there were 386 such migrants, of which one died. They all are staying in shelters with healthy food and water. Their visas are also extended regularly...," standing counsel for the Centre told the bench.

The government counsel's submission came on a PIL, which sought directions for provision of basic amenities to over 1000 Hindu migrants from Pakistan allegedly living in unhygienic and unhealthy conditions in small clusters in various parts of the city, like Rohini, Majnu ka Tila and Bijwasan.

Taking note of the government's submission, the court disposed of the plea. The petition had claimed that the migrants were "living in the most unhygienic and unhealthy conditions and despite authorities having full knowledge and awareness about the same, have not taken any effective measure to provide them with even bare minimum necessities of life."

The petitioner, Ajay Gautam, has also claimed in his plea thatprior to moving the court, he had moved a representation before the Lt Governor on December 19, 2014, but till date no requisite action has been taken by the authorities. He has alleged that the migrants have applied for Indian citizenship and their applications have been pending with Ministry of External Affairs for a long time.

Meanwhile, the counsel for Delhi government stated that verification of such migrants was done on regular basis by the Delhi Police which was in progress.

PTI