Repatriation of illegal immigrants/fugitives from Myanmar
- Tahamzam (Senapati) Manipur, 14th June, 2024 : United Naga Council (UNC) -

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Memorandum Submitted To Shri Amit Shah Honourable Union Home Minister Of India

Subject: Repatriation of illegal immigrants/fugitives from Myanmar to their country and withdrawal of Assam Rifles along the Indo-Myanmar borders In and around Kamjong areas in Manipur.

By
The United Naga Council (UNC)
Naga Women's Union (NWU)
All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM)
Naga Peoples Movement For Human Rights-south (NPMHR-S)
through the Governor of Manipur

Honorable Sir,

With due respect, the Naga Civil Society organisations representing the Nagas in the present state of Manipur make this representation on the above stated matters following the fact-finding visits to Indo-Myanmar border areas by the Naga Civil Society organisations namely: United Naga Council, Naga Women Union, All Naga Students' Association Manipur, Naga Peoples Movement For Human Rights-south on 23rd and 24th of May, 2024.

The massive inflow of fugitives from Myanmar who are temporarily taking refuge in Kamjong Areas or Manipur since November 2023 in the aftermath of political upheaval in Myanmar following the coup in 2021 and the subsequent hill of Thanan in Myanmar, Sagaing region have created unbearable hardships to the villagers of the areas where the fugitives are given temporary shelters.

At stake is the survival of the downtrodden population-triggering series of adverse impacts to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of the native inhabitants. The inmates being sheltered in 8(eight)Tangkhul Naga villages numbering about 5457 have outnumbered the local residents.

Increasing activities or anti-social elements is becoming unbearable with no law enforcing agencies to effectively control the same and foreign culture have overwhelmed the native customary practices due to sheer population imbalances.

Although. bio-metric have been captured lire 5173 persons, monitoring the activities of adult male inmates have become a huge challenge as the authority cannot regularly conduct verifying exercises amidst the fluctuating number of inmates between daytime and at night in those makeshift refugee camps.

These dubious activities of young and adult members are also a cause of concern as their prolonged sojourn in our land will be detrimental to our wellbeing.

We have extended our hospitality wholeheartedly as a good neighbour and the state government has done its part well.

While expressing our heart felt sympathy at the plight of fellow human beings, we would urge you to explore ways and means to safely let them return home now that violent confrontation has subsided in their country.

In addition to the harsh reality of life being confronted with by the local residents along the Indo-Myanmar borders, the civil society organizations are appalled, to witness massive Military mobilitation exercises being conducted along the Indo-Myanmar border and the belligerent attitude of the military personnels operating them despite the Indo-Naga Ceasefire agreement since 1997.

The Nagas are aware of the violent conflict in the Neighboring country, Myanmar and in the state of Manipur with devastating impact. But there is no valid reason apart from imaginary threat perception as to why Naga villages should be made a turf for war preparedness.

On the pretext or curbing movement of illegal refugees, arms and drug smuggling, the presence of men in combat camouflage uniform have created fear psychosis and insecurity to the villager, who are already reeling under the impact of massive inflow of fugitives from across the border.

Occupying schools and village community halls that are located in the middle of the villages and thus robbing the privacy of the inhabitants and using the scarce resources or the villagers like water, natural resources, etc. depriving the villagers of their basic necessity.

Movement of huge military Trucks/Lorries at odds hours particularly at night across the borders disturbing the peace and tranquility of the villagers is highly questionable.

The villagers have suffered for so long and their Human Rights violated beyond tolerance. Frequent harassment of the trading community has become the order of the day with restriction of goods laden vehicles for days incurring massive tomes to their business venture.

In the light of the above, we urge your good self to kindly withdraw the Assam Rifles from those areas as we do not foresee any imminent threats as a consequence of the conflict from across the border unless the Union Government of India has an ulterior motive.

We solicit your thoughtful and timely action.

Yours Truly,
(NG. LORHO)
President, UNC

(M. LUIKANG LUCKSON
President, ANSAM

(CH. PRISCILLA THIUMAI)
President, NWU

(VAREIYO SHATSANG)
General Secretary, UNC

(ANGTESHANG MARING)
General Secretary, ANSAM

(A. HOIBI)
General Secretary, NWU

(JOYSON MAZAMO)
CONVENOR, NPMHR (SOUTH)

Copy to:
1. Hon'ble Chief Minister of Manipur for kind information and necessary action.
2. Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, for kind information and necessary action.
3. Security Advisor. Manipur, for kind information and necessary action.

(VAREIY0 SHATSANG)
General Secretary, UNC