Sealed border fails to keep out infiltrators
Source: The Sangai Express

Tengnoupal, April 23 2024: Even as security forces have sealed the Indo-Myanmar border amid the ongoing conflict in the State and Lok Sabha elections, the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar has not stopped, said sources.

There has been an influx of Myanmar Nationals at Yangoubung Village, located between Indo-Myanmar Border Pillar Number 74 and 75, under Moreh sub-division, claimed reliable sources.

The Myanmar Nationals, believed to be villagers who have fled aerial strikes carried out by Junta forces at Khampat village in the neighbouring country, are being brought into Manipur by Kuki National Army Burma and Kuki National Army India, added the sources.

Myanmar military Junta forces carried out the aerial strikes at Khampat village in Tamu district on April 21 .

While Khampat village is located close to Chandel district's New Samtal and Molcham, the villagers travelled more than 30 kilometres to cross the border to Yangoubung village.

Ch Tengnoupal village, next to Yangoubung has a Assam Rifles post, which is tasked to guard the porous border.

In the meantime, the number of State security forces personnel in Moreh has dwindled over the past several weeks, said sources.

While many personnel who were deployed in the border town have left due to health issues, no new personnel have been sent to replace them, said the sources.

Moreh has seen several intense attacks on security forces carried out by Kuki militants in the past and is not readily accessible to State troops.

When roads are blocked and dangerous with deadly ambushes launched on security convoys by Kuki militants in the past, air has been the only means for sending reinforcement.

While several security personnel have been injured and killed in Kuki militants' attacks, Chingtham Anand Kumar, a Sub-Divisional Police Officer, was shot and killed in Moreh on October 31, 2023 .

At present, the reliable sources claimed, there are only around 50 State security personnel at Moreh.

No new attacks have occurred but the situation remains tense at Moreh.

The personnel who have left the station need to be replaced, said the sources.

While many personnel are willing to be posted at Moreh, those who had left the station due to illness want to return to Moreh.

However, they are unable to come to Moreh as the State has not made any arrangement to fly them, said the sources.

On the other hand, the State security personnel at Moreh are facing various difficulties.

While there is no helicopter service to rotate troops, they have not been granted leave and are not paid.

Despite the Chief Minister's promise on January 26 to give additional monetary assistance to personnel posted in vulnerable places, the personnel posted at Moreh have not been paid their salaries.

They have turned to family members at home to send them money and cover their needs, said the sources.

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