43 immigrants rounded up in a span of 12 days
32 Myanmarese held at Moreh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 01 2023: As soon as reinforcements of Special Commandos arrived at Moreh after the fatal shooting of a senior police officer in the border town, security forces sprang into action rounding up and detaining as many as 32 Myanmar Nationals early morning today.

Special commandos along with Central security forces detained a total of 44 individuals for verification, and 32 of them were found to be Myanmar Nationals.

The 32 Myanmar Nationals include 6 females.

Ten of the Myanmar Nationals have been brought to Imphal foreigner detention centre at Sajiwa by helicopter, said sources.

Significantly, from October 21 to November 1 (12 days), security forces have arrested 43 Myanmar Nationals in Moreh.

43 immigrants rounded up in a span of 12 days

The increasing number of Myanmar Nationals detained in Moreh in the last few days has raised serious concern about the possible presence of a large number of illegal immigrants in the border town and at the same time it has put a question mark on the effectiveness of the Assam Rifles as a border guarding force in Manipur.

Considering the significant number of Myanmar Nationals detained in Moreh in some small operations in a span of only a few days, there is a possibility of the presence of a large number of Myanmar Nationals in Moreh and adjoining areas of Tengnoupal district, said a source in the police who doesn't want to be named.

The 32 Myanmar Nationals were detained today during a cordon and search operation conducted by a combined team of Special commandos, Manipur Rifles, India Reserve Battalion, Assam Rifles and BSF at Morning Market Colony.

The search operation was launched as a response to the killing of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chingtham Anand Kumar by suspected Kuki militants yesterday.

Chingtham Anand Kumar was hit by a sniper bullet when he was overseeing the construction of a helipad at Eastern Shine School ground at Moreh at around 9.30 am.

The officer's body was flown to Imphal and a reinforcement team of Special commandos, Thoubal commandos and Kakching commandos was rushed to Moreh.

The reinforcement team led by Themthing Ngasangva, IGP Zone-I came under attack by Kuki militants at Bongyang and Sinam village.

Three cops were hurt.

The reinforcement team, however, pushed through and reached Moreh.

Early this morning, combined team of the commandos and Central security forces cordoned Morning Market Colony and conducted a search operation.

During the operation, security forces detained 44 individuals for verification.

During the spot verification of the 44 individuals, 32 of them were found to be Myanmar Nationals who had entered Manipur, India illegally.

The 32 Myanmar Nationals were later handed over to Moreh police station.

Earlier on October 30, security forces arrested two Myanmar Nationals near Moreh Khujai Lok who had infiltrated into Manipur, India unlawfully.

The two were identified as Zae Zoe (21) and Tong Pi (25), both of Namphalong Ward No 13, Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

On October 28, security forces arrested two Myanmar Nationals from near the Moreh Eastern Ground.

They were identified as Min Thai (45) and We Wei Fio Ao (23), both from Namphalong Ward Number 12 .

On October 27, security forces arrested four Myanmar Nationals from near Rish Hotel, Moreh.

They were identified as Thangsonlen Guite (33) of Lalim, Myanmar, Khamlenkap Guite (28) of Lalim, Myanmar, Thon Thon (28) of Namphalong, Myanmar and Mrs Mei Yuk (49) of Namphalong, Myanmar.

On October 21, security forces arrested three Myanmar Nationals identified as Khamkhenthang Guite (25), Aung Mae (30), and Aung Aung (25) while conducting foot patrolling in and around Moreh town.

Police had said that the three are suspected of stealing furniture and electric generators from houses that were burnt down during the present ethnic conflict.

Meanwhile, sources said more personnel of Special Commando have been airlifted from Bir Tikendrajit International Airport for Moreh today afternoon.