Demand for immigration regulatory mechanism : Assam takes first step, Manipur still groping in dark
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 21 2014:
Being one of the worst affected States by illegal immigration, the Government of Assam has constituted the Foreigners Tribunal Assam in order to check influx of migrants.
But for Manipur, there is no sign of setting up any such foreigner tribunal.
Nonetheless, the State Government has been studying about enacting a legislation in consultation with different political parties.
A three-member selection committee headed by retired High Court Judge Ashok Potshangbam as chairman was constituted last year following which 66 tribunals were set up.
Now the tribunals are already operational in Assam.
Detection of foreigners is the responsibility of the Government of India.
As such, necessary fund needed for running the 66 tribunals is being paid by the Centre, informed a well placed source.
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The 66 tribunals are distributed in every district of Assam.
Two or three tribunals are posted at districts which are more vulnerable to illegal immigration.
This arrangement made with due permission of the Government of India demands not a single penny from the State exchequer.
In the same manner, foreigner tribunals can be set up in Manipur too for identification and regulation of foreigners and their movement, said the source.
Whatever measures taken up by the Government of Manipur for identification of foreigners and regulation of their movement are done under the Indian Penal Code.
Setting up of foreigner tribunals would be more effective in checking illegal immigration than whatever measures being resorted to by the State Government.
The tribunals have the authority to take up stringent legal actions against illegal immigrants.
Foreigner tribunals can be activated in all areas and routes of the State where illegal immigrants are said to be concentrated.
More number of tribunals can be set up in areas where illegal immigrants are thought to be present in greater numbers.
Given the people's consistent demand for a regulatory mechanism to check influx of migrants, the Government of Manipur may experiment with the foreigners tribunal, added the source.