1,800 Rohingya Left Homeless
Authorities demolish 350 shelters, leaving families who fled Myanmar violence with no alternative accommodation
Hundreds of Rohingya families in Jammu have been displaced after eviction notices required them to dismantle their shelters and shops, leaving them homeless with no alternative accommodation provided by authorities. The evictions have affected nearly 1,800 people, with many considering moving to other parts of India or Bangladesh but facing uncertain futures.
The eviction process began after authorities served notices to landowners who had rented plots to Rohingya families, instructing them to remove all residential and commercial structures. The notices cited the land’s designation for agricultural use and questioned the legality of allowing “foreigners” to settle on these plots.
Around 30 to 40 shops were targeted in the initial phase of the eviction, followed by orders for families living in approximately 80 to 90 makeshift huts to vacate. Some families had lived in the area for 15 to 16 years, relying on daily-wage labour and informal work to survive.
The displaced families, many of whom possess United Nations refugee cards, originally fled Myanmar due to violence and persecution. They now face homelessness with no clear future, and many are uncertain about where they will go next.
## What happens next The Rohingya Human Rights Initiative estimated that around 350 shelters had been demolished, affecting nearly 1,800 people. The community already faced inadequate access to water, electricity, and basic services prior to the evictions, and it is unclear what support will be provided to them now.
## Background The evictions come after a government-appointed High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes inspected Rohingya settlements in Jammu in August 2026. At that time, 7,656 Rohingyas had been identified across Jammu and Kashmir, with the majority residing in Jammu. The latest evictions have raised concerns about the future of these families and the support they will receive from authorities.
The situation is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Rohingya families, who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence and persecution. As they navigate their uncertain futures, it remains to be seen what support will be provided to them and how their needs will be addressed.
