2480 illegal immigrants detected prior to violence: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 12 2024: Chief minister N Biren on Sunday said 2480 illegal immigrants were detected in the state in 2023 but the campaign was cut short after violence broke out on May 3 last year.

Addressing a press conference, Biren said concerned with increasing deforestation and setting up of new villages by illegal immigrants, a Cabinet sub-committee was formed in February 2023 after a cabinet meeting attended by two Kuki ministers Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen.

Letpao Haokip was made the head of the sub-committee to identify illegal immigrants.

"We are not biased against anybody but against illegal immigrants.

It was a decision taken by the state cabinet," Biren said.

"Biometrics were taken in ten villages of Chandel during which 1,165 illegal immigrants were found, 1,147 in 13 villages of Tengnoupal district, 154 in Churachandpur and the rest found in Kamjong district," the CM said.

These figures are not inclusive of the additional 5,457 illegal immigrants who entered Kamjong district, he said, adding biometrics of 5,173 people have been taken while 329 have returned back voluntarily after situation improved in the neighbouring country.

"The detection of illegal immigrants was not limited to one community but was to cover the entire state of Manipur.

They were found after visiting villages," he said.

"The campaign for identifying illegal immigrants was, however, cut short just after a month it started and had to be stopped after violence broke out on May 3," Biren said.

Biren expressed strong disappointment with the Geneva-based International Court of Jurists (ICJ) which had recently asked Indian authorities to stop deportation in Manipur.

He asked, "Does the organisation know the hardship faced by the indigenous population and issues of deforestation, demographic challenges and poppy cultivation caused by the illegal immigrants?" .

"It is an irresponsible statement.

Both the Centre and Manipur government are not under them.

The deportations were also not forcible and no laws were broken.

Myanmar authorities came to receive them after completing paper works and formalities" Biren said, adding "NGOs which are focussed on earning funds should not interfere in the state issue as these are matters of survival for the indigenous people" .

There are also NGOs in the state, who see nothing but funds and can say nothing against statements tarnishing the image of the community, he maintained and asked politicians with vested interests not to take the issue lightly without understanding the threat the state is facing.

Regarding the current crisis, Biren said that more than 200 lives have been lost and over 50,000 people are displaced in the conflict.

Unfortunately, some individuals, organisations and group of people are making baseless statements and claims withqut understanding the ground reality.

This conflict is a serious issue for the indigenous people, he said and asked all concerned to refrain from making the issue into a farce.

At the same time, one should also refrain from politicising the issue, he contended.

The CM said "We have received information about displaced persons who after getting training from selfhelp groups are selling their products on the streets.

Instead of selling their products on the street, they can always contact CM da Haisi helpline number 9534795347.We will engage a team or an NGO to purchase the products and sell them on their behalf" .

"We have also prepared to do something for the betterment of those staying in the relief camps once the election code of conduct concludes," the CM said.

Informing that the government had released fund for some of the displaced families, who could resettle in their original locations, the Biren maintained that some of the identified families are yet to claim the fund while some had already claimed the fund but have not started construction of houses.

The government would want to know the reasons behind such hesitation.

If there is genuine issue or inconveniences, the government is ready to provide necessary assistance including construction of houses by the government if required.

Any person, who faces such issues can always contact CM da Haisi facility through mobile number 9534795347, he said.

The chief minister also lauded the acknowledgement made by the National Green Tribunal over the loss of forest areas in Manipur.

NGT's Principal Bench in Delhi taking note of the data released by the chief minister on forest cover loss in the north eastern state had said they raised "substantial issues relating to compliance of environmental norms" .

On the other-hand, a statement issued by the government of Manipur on Sunday stated that in the wake of the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar, a significant number of individuals have been displaced, leading to an influx of illegal migrants into Manipur.

Kamjong district, in particular, has witnessed a surge in the arrival of these migrants, necessitating immediate attention and action from the authorities.

Consequently, the government appointed civil and police nodal officers across five districts bordering Myanmar in response to the escalating challenges posed by the increasing influx of illegal Myanmar immigrants According to reports from Kamjong district administration, a total of 5801 illegal immigrants from Myanmar have been detected in the district thus far.

Tragically, 15 individuals have succumbed to natural causes, highlighting the precarious conditions faced by these immigrants.

However, efforts have been made to facilitate the return of 359 individuals to Myanmar, emphasising a commitment to resolving the situation with compassion and efficiency.

At present, there are 5457 illegal immigrants in Kamjong district, primarily sheltered in eight villages within designated camps.

To ensure the safety and security of both the immigrants and the local population, these camps have been strategically located away from inhabited areas.

The management of these camps, including accommodation and maintenance, is predominantly overseen by village local committees, with support from the district administration.

The statement informed that in an effort to regulate the situation, the district administration has provided identity cards to the immigrants and conducting regular headcounts every alternate day.

Despite efforts to facilitate their return to Myanmar, many immigrants have expressed hesitation due to recent bombings by the Myanmar army, underscoring the complexities of the situation.

In response to the escalating challenges, immediate action has been initiated by Kamjong district administration and police, as directed in a meeting chaired by the chief secretary on Friday.

This includes the urgent capturing and uploading of biometric data of 284 immigrants whose information has not yet been recorded, as well as the re-verification of all immigrants in desig-.

nated camps.

Additionally, the police department will enhance security measures in and around the camps to prevent potential risks.

Furthermore, the state government has taken additional steps to address the situation comprehensively with a special police team constituted to identify new settlements and undertake biometric registration of illegal immigrants.

Nodal officers have been appointed in five districts - Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Chandel and Churachandpur - to monitor the influx of immigrants and ensure timely action in line with legal protocols.

In the light of recent developments, the statement urged the public not to succumb to panic or misinformation while conveying that relief efforts are underway on humanitarian grounds, with a firm commitment to protecting the interests of indigenous communities.

Emphasising the importance of upholding the law, the government affirmed its dedication to deporting illegal migrants following due process.

The government will continue deportation of illegal immigrants in order to protect the state that has already been affected by various challenges and threats posed by illegal immigration, forest encroachment and poppy plantation.

The government is also aware of the fact that certain so-called rights activist and part-time social workers are closely involved with some groups, who are attempting to create more hostility and divisions in the state.

They are closely working with the ones spreading lies and hatred against the state and its people.

They must understand that their work goes against the larger interest of the people of the state and nation, the statement said and added that this is a matter of national security and justice will prevail.

Earlier on Saturday, the state government directed deputation of a special team led by commissioner Dr Shailesh Kumar Chour-asia as the chairman and IGP Kabib K as the convenor, to capture biometrics of illegal immigrants detected in new settlements along the Indo-Myanmar border.

According to a communique sent in this regard by joint secretary (home) Peter Salam to DGP Manipur, the decision follows reports of new settlements emerging in areas bordering Myanmar, including Behiang, Sajik Tampak, Molcham, and other regions, due to the porous nature of the Indo-Myanmar border.

The special team, led by IGP Kabib K along with DIG (Intelligence) and district police officers, will commence immediate action to identify and capture photographs, videos, and biometrics of illegal migrants in these newly detected settlements, the communique said, DCs are tasked with providing necessary assistance to the team in carrying out the biometric data capturing process.

At the same time, joint secretary (home) on Saturday also issued an order regarding appointment of civil and police nodal officers across five districts bordering Myanmar in response to the escalating challenges posed by the increasing influx of illegal Myanmar immigrants.

The appointed nodal officers are entrusted with the critical task of monitoring and checking the influx of illegal migrants in their respective districts: The appointed civil and police nodal officers are ADC Ukhrul Kajaigal Gangmei & Addl SP (Ops) Ukhrul Ringthing Hongchui for Ukhrul; SDO Kamjong Syed Amjad Ali & Addl SP (LO) Kamjong Semmi Ramror for Kamjong; SDO Moreh Ejaj Hasan & DSP (HQ) Tengnoupal Sankhil John Lamkang for Tengnoupal; ADC Chandel Md Firoj Khan & Addl SP (Ops) Chandel Chamna Anal for Chandel; and SDO Thanlon Philip lohn & SB CCpur Shaikh Mohd Zaib Zakir for Churachandpur districts.

These officials will undertake various actions to curb illegal migration and upload the biometric details into the foreigners' identification portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Additionally, they are required to submit weekly reports to the government, accompanied by photographs and videos documenting their activities.

To ensure the effective discharge of their duties, DCs and SPs of the respective districts will provide necessary assistance to the nodal officers in terms of manpower and logistics.

Nodal officers for the remaining border district of Pherzawl will be appointed in due course, the order added.

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