REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW DELHI -- India on Monday termed Rohingya refugees from Myanmar as a "very serious and potential threat to national security" and indicated it could soon deport them from the country.

In a written submission to the country's Supreme Court, the Indian government claimed that the Rohingya Muslims, who fled violence in Myanmar and settled in India, are "indulging in anti-national activities and channelizing funds through havala (illegal) channels."

"There is a serious potential and possibility of eruption of violence by the radicalized Rohingyas against Buddhists in India," it told the court, which sought the response of the government in the wake of petition by two Rohingya Muslims challenging deportation by India.

"The right to reside and settle in the country is available only to citizens and not to illegal immigrants," the government said, making it clear that India is not signatory to the United Nations convention on refugees and thus is not bound by it.

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The next date of hearing is on Oct. 3.

Estimates say over 40,000 Rohingyas from Myanmar have settled in India in the past years, of which only 30 percent to 40 percent are registered with the United Nation's refugee agency.

Last month, junior Indian Home Minister Kiren Rijiju told the Parliament that Rohingyas "are illegal immigrants and that the government aims to deport them." However, deportation process has not started yet.

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