Adequate security forces needed to control refugees
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 14 2024: Kamjong district administration has underscored the urgent need to deploy adequate strength of security forces at Kamjong in order to properly control the Myanmar refugees staying in the district.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Kamjong district administration said that around 5500 Myanmar people who fled their home country because of the political turmoil there are currently taking refuge in Manipur's Kamjong district.

The Myanmar refugees are taking shelter at Phaikoh, Shangkalok/Khenroram/Huimin Thana, Skippe, Pilong, Aloyo and Choro villages of Kamjong sub-division.

Around 1500 Myanmar refugees are taking shelter at Wanglee and Namlee villages of Kasom Khullen sub-division.

As the villages under Kamjong sub-division where Myanmar refugees are taking shelter fall under the jurisdiction of Kamjong police, they visit these places.

Troops of Assam Rifles also come to these villages from time to time, according to the district administration.

Whereas the strength of police is quite limited, the number of Myanmar refugees has been swelling.

As a result, there are times police could not control or monitor the Myanmar refugees, said the district administration.

As of now, the offices of the district administration and the district Superintendent of Police have not received any official report of untoward incidents.

As Neuthik township of Myanmar is still embroiled in political turmoil, it is feared more Myanmar people would come to Kamjong, according to the district administration.

As a rule, Kamjong district administration collects biometrics of every Myanmar refugee although the same exercise was halted for some time because of the Lok Sabha elections.

Now, the district administration has been preparing to resume the work of collecting biometrics of every Myanmar refugee.

The matter has also been consulted with the district Superintendent of Police, the officials said.

The district administration has been keeping in touch with the local people and there is a report of some more Myanmar people crossing over to Manipur (Kamjong) today, they said.

If the ever rising number of Myanmar refugees threatens law and order and in case any unwanted incident erupts, there is not enough security forces to control the situation, said the officials further.

Following a letter written by the local MLA to the Chief Minister on the matter, the Chief Minister has entrusted the matter to the Chief Secretary who has issued necessary instructions to the DGP.

The Kamjong district administration is awaiting the State Government's next step, they added.

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