From 2012 to February 2023...393 Myanmar Nationals crossed into Manipur : CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2023: Altogether 393 Myanmar Nationals crossed into Manipur between 2012 and February this year.

This was stated by Chief Minister N Biren on the floor of the State Assembly today.

During the question hour, Opposition MLA K Ranjit asked the Government if there was any case of Myanmarese people fleeing to Manipur from the war-like situation prevailing in the neighbouring country and what arrangements have been made by the Government for them, if there is any.

Responding to the query, N Biren said that 393 Myanmarese people crossed into Manipur from January 2012 till date.

Out of them, 105 are currently lodged in judicial custody, 105 in detention centres and 180 have been released on bail while one has been deported back, Biren said.

From 2012 to February 2023...393 Myanmar Nationals crossed into Manipur : CM

While all these 393 people were identified, there are suspicions of the presence of unidentified Myanmar Nationals within the State.

As such, the Government has been working to set up a committee and verify the people of five districts by examining their biometric data and Aadhaar cards, he said.

The verification drive has been already launched in Kamjong, Tengnoupal and Chandel, he informed the House.

Saying that there are legal and technical difficulties in opening refugee camps for the intruders, the Chief Minister said that two detention centres have been opened at Tengnoupal and Sajiwa.

As Assam Rifles alone cannot guard the 390 Kms long boundary, the State Government has initiated the work of opening 34 police outposts along the border.

Once these police outposts are opened, intrusion from Myanmar can be checked considerably, Biren said.

To another question raised by K Ranjit regarding irrigation facilities, Chief Minister N Biren claimed that 46,512 hectares of paddy fields have been irrigated while 1,87,928 hectares are still deprived of irrigation facilities.

Between 2019 and 2022, Rs 616.06 crore was invested in irrigation projects.

Of the Rs 616.06 crore, Rs 254.02 crore was through Minor Irrigation Department, Rs 298.63 crore through Water Resources Department and Rs 63.41 crore through Command Area Development Department, Biren said.

The State Government has been working to install tubewells for perennial irrigation of agricultural lands.

Plans are also afoot to construct check dams at foothills so as to irrigate agricultural lands, he added.