5 chargesheeted in murder of Hijam Linthoingambi, Phijam Hemanjit
FMR suspended, not yet scrapped : Biren
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 05 2024: Even though the Ministry of Home Affairs has written to the Ministry of External Affairs to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar, it has not been scrapped yet.

The Chief Minister also informed the House that chargesheet has been filed against five accused in the murder of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi, whose brutal deaths sent shockwaves across India.

Nonetheless, the State Government has been suspending the FMR for every six months with due consent of the Government of India.

This was stated by Chief Minister N Biren in response to a query raised by K Meghachandra in the State Assembly today.

The Chief Minister informed the House that the FMR was suspended since 2021 following the Covid-19 pandemic.

5 chargesheeted in murder of Hijam Linthoingambi, Phijam Hemanjit

The latest notification for suspension of FMR was issued on February 16 this year.

In the meantime, the Government of India is expected to issue an order whereby FMR would be scrapped totally, Biren said.

On further queries raised by Meghachandra who cited media reports of arrest of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and free movement across the international border, the Chief Minister clarified that citizens of the two countries can move across the border if they are permitted by authorities of both the countries even though FMR has been suspended.

As large section of the Indo-Myanmar border is unfenced, there are cases of intrusion from across the border through jungles.

Nonetheless, security forces have been keeping a close vigil, he said.

There were also cases of illegal immigrants crossing to Manipur from Myanmar with Aadhaar cards printed across the border.

Such cases are being closely monitored, Biren said and added that such manipulations and deceit would be hardly successful now.

On another query raised by Meghachandra on CBI investigation into the missing case of Phijam Hemanjit and Hijam Linthoingambi, the Chief Minister informed the House that chargesheet has been filed against five accused.

Meghachandra then questioned if the location where the young students were murdered has been identified.

To this, N Biren maintained that it would be improper to place all the details before the House as the case is being investigated by an independent body.

To a question raised by Okram Surjakumar, the Chief Minister stated that there were 63 missing cases in the course of the violent conflict.

Out of these missing cases, 26 were found dead, nine were found alive but the other 28 cannot be traced till date, he said.

People who sustain injuries in the violent conflict are given assistance through PMJAY and CMHT.

There is also an approved policy of the Government to provide additional assistance to the injured victims.

There is also a scheme to ensure the livelihood of those people who have been disabled by injuries, Biren said.

During zero hour, MLA Irengbam Nalini stated that 84 families of Oinam Waroiching who are currently taking refuge in the Leimaram High School relief camp are craving to go back home.

If additional State forces are stationed at Oinam Waroiching areas, the displaced families are ready to go back home, she said.

Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar urged the leader of the House to raise a motion on the movement for enlistment of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe category as demanded by the Meitei (Meetei) Tribe Union through the Speaker, if permissible.

Okram Surjakumar sought attention of the House to make MPSC functional so that pending recruitment results can be declared and fresh recruitments can be notified.