Key Takeaways
• Hyderabad police arrested four Rohingya nationals on May 20, 2025 for illegal immigration using forged Indian documents.
• The group entered India from Myanmar in 2011, living incognito in Rangareddy district with aid from local document facilitators.
• Thousands of Rohingya in India face uncertain status, risking arrest, detention, and deportation due to lack of official refugee recognition.
On May 20, 2025, Hyderabad police arrested four Rohingya nationals for illegal immigration. These arrests point to serious issues surrounding the Rohingya community in India, touching on the challenges of documentation, legal status, and safety that many refugees face. In simple terms, this event is about much more than just one police operation—it tells the story of people fleeing danger, trying to survive, and the risks they take when local systems do not offer them protection.
The Arrest in Hyderabad: What Happened
The four people arrested were identified as Mohammed Arman, aged 32; his wife, Mohammed Rumana Akther, aged 26; Mohammed Nayeem, aged 20, who is Arman’s brother; and their associate, Mohammed Haris, aged 33. According to the Hyderabad police, all of them are Rohingya nationals. They entered India from Myanmar in 2011, escaping violence and seeking safety. Since arriving, they made their home in Pedda Amberpet and Balapur—localities within Rangareddy district.
To stay and work in India, the group used a range of fake and forged documents. Police said they got their hands on Indian identification papers such as Aadhaar cards (which are used for proving identity in India), voter ID cards, PAN cards (used for tax purposes), bank passbooks, birth certificates, a driving license, gas connection booklets, LIC policy bonds, and even mobile phones in their assumed names. One UNHCR refugee identity card—issued by the United Nations refugee agency—was also found among their possessions.
It was not just a matter of getting by with no paperwork. Instead, the Rohingya nationals relied on the help of local contacts at Mee Seva centers (government-run service centers in many parts of India) to get hold of these documents. The police report says two people accused of assisting with these forgeries are missing and possibly still helping others do the same.
In addition, Hyderabad police noted that one of the accused was working as a private madrasa (Islamic school) teacher, using a fake name. All the forged documents were seized when the Special Operations Team (SOT) of LB Nagar and Hayathnagar police carried out the arrest operation.
How Fake Documents Become the Only Choice
The use of fake paperwork by Rohingya nationals shows just how hard it is for them to live in India. Without Indian documents, it’s tough to get a job, open a bank account, or even rent a place to live. Because the Indian government does not grant the Rohingya official refugee status, most end up being labeled as “illegal immigrants.” This means that, for basic needs and safety, some feel forced to take risks such as buying or forging ID papers.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, thousands of Rohingya have made similar journeys over the last decade. Many arrived in India after fleeing waves of violence in Myanmar. Starting around 2012, more Rohingya families tried to rebuild their lives in neighboring countries, but few received the protection they hoped for. In India, this leaves them with uncertain futures and very few rights.
For the Rohingya nationals in Hyderabad, their struggle was about more than getting by day-to-day. It also meant hiding who they really were for years—sometimes by working under a new name, sometimes by pretending to belong to the local population. The police finding many different IDs in their homes shows how much they needed these documents just to lead normal lives—or at least to appear like everyone else on paper.
The Bigger Picture: Rohingya Status in India
The Rohingya are one of the world’s most persecuted groups. In Myanmar, they face violence and discrimination because of their ethnicity and religion. Many have experienced loss of homes, family members, and even citizenship rights.
When they come to India, hoping for safety, many do not get formal refugee recognition. Instead, they are marked as “illegal immigrants.” This label follows them everywhere. It limits where they can go, what jobs they can get, and even their access to health care or education. With no official status, they are at risk of being picked up by the police at any time.
Local groups, international organizations, and the United Nations have all spoken out about these challenges. Despite this, Indian law does not fully protect Rohingya refugees. Because of these gaps in protection, fake documentation becomes the only way for many to fit into everyday Indian society.
How Rohingyas Enter India and the Journey to Hyderabad
Hyderabad has become a main city for the Rohingya in India. The road to get there is not easy. Recent reports say crackdowns in other states, such as Tripura and West Bengal, have pushed many Rohingya to move further inland, hoping to avoid arrest. Some who were caught traveling were found to have left refugee camps like Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. From there, traffickers or touts (people who charge money to help others cross borders illegally) arranged for them to enter India.
Once inside India, many Rohingyas aim for big cities like Hyderabad, where there is more work and a chance to blend in with others. It is here that police find more cases of forged papers. Statewide operations by law enforcement have led to detentions, as seen in this recent Hyderabad incident.
Crackdowns, Detentions, and Risks
For Rohingya nationals who get arrested for illegal immigration, the future can be very difficult. Once detained, many remain in jail even after finishing their sentences because they do not have the right documents to be sent anywhere. With limited legal aid or support, their cases can go unheard for months or even years.
There is also a real fear of being sent back to Myanmar—a country where many risk violence or persecution if they return. Rights groups say detentions are sometimes arbitrary (not always based on evidence of actual wrongdoing) and worry about forced returns to Myanmar. News stories and group reports have described mass arrests, often taking place in cities as diverse as New Delhi and Hyderabad. Forced deportations back to Myanmar continue, despite worldwide concern about the humanitarian crisis there.
The United Nations and other organizations have raised alarms about the dangers of sending Rohingya back. But in the absence of a legal system that protects them, many refugees continue to worry about their safety every day.
Impact on Different Groups
These events affect more than just those arrested. When police detain Rohingya nationals for illegal immigration, human rights advocates are concerned. Wellspring organizations worry about children and families who may lose access to the little stability they’ve found in India. Local communities sometimes grow suspicious or fearful, while some offer help and support.
For employers, especially in informal sectors like construction or teaching in madrasas, the discovery of fake documents also raises concerns about trust and the risks of unwittingly breaking the law by hiring those with unclear status.
Students and children in Rohingya families may be pushed out of schools if their families are exposed. Access to health care, shelter, and daily safety is suddenly thrown into question for everyone else in the Rohingya camps or informal settlements in Hyderabad and other cities.
Why Do Rohingyas Take These Risks?
Understanding why Rohingya nationals use forged documents isn’t simply about blaming or excusing illegal immigration. Instead, it means looking at desperation and survival instincts. Many are trying to escape what they believe is certain danger if returned to Myanmar.
They often face impossible choices: risk arrest and deportation, or take a chance at building a new life by whatever means they can. For some, buying fake ID cards or even working with traffickers or corrupt officials is the only path open.
The Role of Hyderabad Police and Crackdowns
The role of Hyderabad police is complex. They must enforce the law, which forbids people from living in India without approval. But each case can come with complicated facts—such as whether the accused are real refugees, victims of trafficking, or simply people trying to live in peace.
Crackdowns, like the one in Hyderabad, are planned with the goal of checking the spread of fake documents and illegal immigration. These actions are usually taken by special teams within local police departments, sometimes working with other law enforcement branches. The Hyderabad police have reported success in uncovering forged documents and taking steps to prevent the spread of such activities.
The Debate: Security Versus Human Rights
The question remains: how can India balance concerns for national security with compassion for people facing real danger? Human rights organizations believe everyone, including Rohingya nationals, deserves fair treatment. They remind the government that India has international obligations—like not sending people back to places where they face threats to life or freedom.
On the other hand, the government is worried about illegal immigration and security issues, especially if there are connections to crime or if forged documents are being used on a large scale. Finding a middle ground is never easy, and this is why incidents like these get so much attention.
What Human Rights Groups Say
Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have asked the Indian government to protect the rights and safety of the Rohingya, instead of simply treating them as rule-breakers. They want legal processes for all refugees and support that gives people a fair chance. These groups also urge against mass detentions or forced deportations without looking at each case properly.
Rights advocates explain that, for many Rohingya, living “under the radar” is the only way to survive. When those arrested in Hyderabad leave children and extended families behind, the cost is not only legal but deeply personal and painful.
Steps Forward: What Should Happen Next?
To improve the situation, advocates and international agencies recommend fair and transparent systems for those seeking protection. This means offering Rohingya nationals a way to apply for legal status, regularizing their stay, or at the very least, making sure their deportation does not put them in harm’s way. Regular checks on camps and settlements should focus on safety—not just on catching people with the wrong papers.
For its part, the Indian government can work with organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to find better solutions. For more information on the role of the UNHCR and current efforts, you can visit the official UNHCR India page.
Conclusion: The Real Costs of Unresolved Status
This single incident in Hyderabad—a police raid, four arrests for illegal immigration, and the recovery of forged documents—reflects a much larger struggle. The Rohingya in India remain among the most threatened, least protected people in the region. Left without legal options or secure status, they often feel forced to take steps that put them in further danger.
The Hyderabad police, like law enforcement across other parts of India, face tough choices when dealing with stateless people. Each new crackdown brings calls for more humane policies and deeper understanding of why vulnerable groups make risky choices.
As more cases emerge, the need to balance compassion, national security, and human rights becomes even clearer. Law and order are important, but so too is the promise that no one should have to live in fear simply for wanting to survive.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that the story is ongoing, with no easy answers in sight. For now, what is certain is that the lives of Rohingya nationals hang in the balance, shaped by laws, policies, and a world often slow to offer them a safe place to call home.
Learn Today
Rohingya → An ethnic Muslim minority from Myanmar, facing persecution and violence, often forced to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
UNHCR → United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN agency supporting the protection and rights of refugees worldwide.
Aadhaar Card → A government-issued Indian identity card containing biometric and demographic details, essential for accessing various services.
Forged Documents → Illegally created or altered papers, such as ID cards or certificates, used to falsely represent someone’s identity or status.
Stateless → Describes people not recognized as citizens by any country, lacking legal nationality and rights tied to citizenship.
This Article in a Nutshell
The arrest of four Rohingya nationals in Hyderabad highlights the risks refugees face when lacking legal protection. Driven by desperation, many resort to forgeries for survival. The case reveals ongoing tensions between national security policies and human rights obligations, showing why India urgently needs fairer processes for vulnerable stateless populations.
— By VisaVerge.com
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