6746 Myanmarese detected, 259 deported: CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 04 2024: Chief minister N Biren has informed that the state government has been able to identify 6746 illegal Myanmarese immigrants from May last year to February this year.

Responding to a query on illegal immigrants and refugees from Myanmar raised by opposition member Thokchom Lokeshwar in Monday's session of the Assembly, the chief minister said that out of the 6746 illegal immigrants identified, 259 have been deported and the remaining kept in temporary shelter homes with humanitarian support in order to prevent intermingling with the local population.

In response to another question raised by the Khundrakpam MLA regarding deployment of central security forces in crisis affected assembly constituencies (AC), Biren said that there is no provision of deploying security forces AC-wise, but are deployed based on ground situation and need basis.

He also assured the House of looking into deployment of state security forces at Shantipur and Sinam villages under Khundrakpam AC after discussing the matter with the SP concerned.

Regarding ex-gratia for victims of the crisis highlighted by MLA K Ranjit, the CM said that out of 213 killed from May 3, 2023 to January 31, 2024; 198 have been identified as civilians including 20 women and eight children with ex-gratia paid to 114 victims and the remaining under verification process.

While clarifying that the government does not provide ex-gratia to illegal immigrants, he also told the members that those killed in gunfight between two opposite forces will also get ex-gratia as victims of ethnic violence as per state and central rules.

Ex-gratia amount differs between security forces and civilians with the former having higher amount.

However, the government has started providing Rs 10 lakh for civilian victims as well, he said and affirmed that ex-gratia for late Ngangom Navy, who went missing since May 28 and whose skeletal remains were found on January 31, Will be paid within five days.

Responding to a question relating to conduct of pending election to the Urban Local Bodies raised by another Congress MLA - K Meghachandra, MAHUD minister Y Khem-chand said that the election got delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic, high court order and the current unrest situation in the state.

He also told the House that no schedule has been finalised for the election so far.

In response Meghachandra's query regarding pending payment of pension amount, CM Biren said that the total pending amount of pension benefits is Rs 859.36 crore which the government is eyeing to release by August this year.

He further said that monthly pensions for pensioners and salary for government employees are being provided regularly.

The pending amount is for the payment of one-time lump-sum fund an employee gets at the time of retirement.

The pending amount was around Rs 400 crore before the crisis but has risen to over Rs 850 core during the crisis as the funds were utilised in the safety and security of the state, he added.

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