Public asked to report illegal immigrants
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 28 2023:
Informing that the government is taking up special drive for verification and checking of illegal migrants and immigrants, district administration of Tengnoupal has called upon the public to report presence of such individuals in their localities to the nearest police stations or law enforcement agencies.
In a notification dated March 27, Tengnoupal district magistrate Ranjan Yumnam observed that there is apprehension among the general public on the issue of influx of illegal immigration from across the Indo-Myanmar border, which warrants the state government to take up immediate steps for proper identification and preventing them from naturalisation amongst the native population.
A special drive for verification and checking of illegal immigrants is being taken up by the government and the same exercise is underway in the district, the notification pointed out.
It then asked the general public to report to the respective police stations/law enforcing/security agencies in the district, in case if any individual identified or suspected to be Myanmarese national is detected or found living in their respective villages.
It further informed that facilities for providing temporary accommodation, food, safety and medical care are being developed by the government at Haolenphai village under Moreh sub-division of Tengnoupal district.
Such illegal immigrants will not be arrested or detained.
They will be extended all humanitarian assistance, temporarily, till they are properly deported or any further decision with regard to them is taken up by the competent authority of the Central and state governments.
Stating that any such case should be reported without fail, the notification made it clear that anybody or any village authority found harbouring/providing accom-modation/shelter to illegal immigrants without the permission of the government will face stringent legal action and prosecution as deemed fit as per law of the land.
Mention may be made that the state government is setting up a temporary shelter home in a village near Moreh border to accommodate around 5,000 immigrants who fled from conflict-torn Myanmar.
A ministerial team comprising Letpao Haokip, Awangbow Newmai and Th Basanta Singh had on Monday visited the border village to study the area where the shelter home is to be set up.
They also interacted with the Myanmarese immigrants.
The immigrants would be accommodated in the shelter home before deportation to their country as and when the restive situation in Myanmar normalises.
Amid sporadic reports of clashes between the Myanmarese army and the resistance group PDF, the government of Manipur has been deploying additional security forces and asked the Assam Rifles to maintain strict vigil along the international border.
According to security officials and district administration, round-the clock foot patrolling has been intensified along the international border.
Besides, additional forces comprising Manipur Rifles, police and other security personnel have also been deployed.
Manipur shares around 400 km unfenced border with Myanmar, which is the main source of smuggling of drugs, gold, exotic animals, poppy seeds and other contrabands.
Comment
