Committee hails crack down on illegal migrants
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2012: While appreciating the ongoing crackdown against foreign nationals in Manipur under the directive of the State's Home Minister, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System has reiterated its demand that an effective legislation to check influx of outsiders should be implemented within Novem-ber 18 .

Addressing media persons at the Keishampat office of Federation of Regional Indigenous Society (Freinds), Joint Committee co-convenors Mutum Churamani, Joy Chingakham and Kh Ratan conveyed support of the Committee to the Government's ongoing drive to detect and deport foreigners from Manipur.

Opining that the present turmoil besieging Assam is a direct fallout of unrestrained entry and settlement of foreigners and illegal migrants in the NE region, they suggested that the Home Minister take all possible measures to check illegal infiltration in order to avoid an Assam-like situation in Manipur.

Contending that people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and nepal have already spread to various parts of Manipur, the co-convenors desired the drive against foreign nationals be carried out in the districts too.

Stating that allowing free access to foreign nationals as well as migrant workers into Manipur pose threat to the indigenous people, they also cautioned that outsiders gradually outnumbering the local populace will certainly lead to political struggle and conflicts.

Asking authorities concerned involved in issuing identification documents such as driving license, domicile/status certificates, LPG consumer cards, ration cards, election card, etc to take extreme care in ensuring that only the locals are provided such documents, rather than mortgaging the people's interest and security in exchange of money, the Committee trio also asserted that in case of misuse of power officials of department concerned should willingly step down on moral ground.

They also appealed to the general public as well as people's representatives to disclose any information about presence of foreign nationals or illegal migrants in their respective areas so that the ongoing drive of the Home Department becomes more effective and fruitful.

The co-convenors also suggested that police authorities work in tandem with personnel engaged in census operation or data collectors as these people might be well informed about concentration of non-locals in a specific area.

Urging houseowners to authenticate antecedents of rent seekers by insisting on identification documents, they cautioned that failure to comply with preventive norms might lead to embarrassing situation for there is always the possibility of criminal elements mingling with the general populace.

Pointing out that detection of nearly 50 foreign national in the police crackdown has exposed repeated contention of the Government that there is no case of foreigners illegally staying in Manipur, they strongly suggested strong verification process against non-locals detected during the course of the drive for there is possibility of these people coaxing the police through wrong information.

Insisting that Chura-chandpur and Mao areas be covered by such drive and verification be extended to all non-locals including Nepali people, the co-convenors also demanded that Kukis claiming to be from Moreh but presently staying in Churachandpur should be verified as many of them do not speak Manipuri, which is an indication that their antecedents need to be put under the scanner.

They further reiterated that the ILP should be implemented by November 18 .

Comment