(Image source from: News18.com)

As part of a country-wide security exercise, the Centre has asked all states to take biometric details of Rohingyas and else illegal immigrants living in their legal power, Home Ministry officials said.

The decision has been taken so that the illegal immigrants can be identified as they shift to different parts of the country.

A senior Home Ministry official said the state governments have been told to instruct the local police to capture the biometric details of Rohingyas and other illegal immigrants.

About 14,000 Rohingyas living in the country are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, while around 40,000 are said to be staying illegally.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh in July had said in Parliament that some Rohingya Muslim migrants in India have been found being involved in illegal activities and maintained that security forces have been deployed to halt their infiltration into the country.

The official said capturing the biometrics details does not mean that they will be given any valid identification document.

Documents such as Aadhaar can be issued solely to those non-citizens, who visit India legally and are residents in India for minimum six months but the Rohingyas, being illegal migrants, do not qualify for it, the official said.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday had as well directed the government not to issue Aadhaar card to illegal immigrants.

Calling all Rohingya in India "illegal immigrants", the home minister said Thursday the state governments have been asked to note their movements and obtain their personal details so they could be deported to Myanmar.

By Sowmya Sangam