Govt plans second shelter home for immigrants
Source: Chronicle News Service

Moreh, March 29 2023: The state government is planning to set up another shelter home at Gamphajol village under Chandel district for the Myanmarese immigrants who fled the country following restive situation there and are taking refuge along the border.

A ministerial team led by tribal affairs and hills minister Letpao Haokip, who is also the cabinet sub-committee chairman, on Wednesday visited Gamphajol village to take stock of the condition of the immigrants who are presently staying at the village.

While interacting with the Myanmarese immigrants, minister Letpao Haokip disclosed that the government is considering to set up another shelter home for them in the village.

He said that all Myanmarese immigrants staying in the shelter home will be provided with an identification card each and those found not possessing the same will be arrested.

Moreover, in case any of the card holders are found indulging in illegal activities including drug peddling, he/she will put behind bars, he cautioned.

Education and Law minister Th Basanta Kumar, who was also present during the inspection visit, informed that in addition to arresting and imprisoning all Myanmarese immigrants found staying in the village without the identification cards issued by the state government, strict legal actions will be initiated against members of the house providing shelter to such Myanmarese immigrants.

He further informed that a team Manipur police and AR personnel will man the shelter home on daily basis.

IFC minister Awangbou Newmai also said that the state government will supply essential materials to the Myanmarese refugees staying in the shelter home.

The shelter will also be fenced on all sides, he added.

The inspection visit of the cabinet sub-committee was also accompanied by top officials of government departments including home commissioner, home joint secretary, IG (Intelligence), Chandel DC, SP (Intelligence) and officials of department providing essential commodities to the shelter home.

It may be mentioned that the same ministerial team had on March 26 visited Haolenphai village near border pillar number 76 in Moreh sub-division of Tengnoupal district, to identify site for construction of a shelter home for the refugees from neighbouring Myanmar, following which the villagers along with the immigrants started jungle cutting at the selected site.

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