CM launches FRS, slams Mizoram body
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, May 02 2023: Chief Minister N Biren on Tuesday launched the Facial Recognition System (FRS) for Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) and flagged off two camera mounted mobile FRS vehicles from his secretariat, here.

Addressing media persons at the launch event, the CM said that the new system will help in effective checking of Inner Line Permit holders whose validity have expired at the ILP counters and also in better management of the ILP System.

CM Biren said that considering the need to implement use of modem technology in the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the state, the government after seeking approval from the Union Home Ministry, engaged a reputed international firm for the installation of the FRS.

With the untiring effort of the teams involved, the system has been implemented on a trial basis for some time now.

However, even during the trial period, the system managed to identify defaulters of the ILPS, he added.

He informed that the FRS system has been installed at various places including at the Imphal Airport and Jiribam, and efforts are on to install it at other places including Khongsang Railway Station, Moreh, etc.

On top of this, the two mobile vehicles will be stationed at different locations in Imphal East and West districts to identify ILP defaulters, he said, while adding that in the long run, the FRS will facilitate a smoother entry and exit system for permit applicants/holders from the state.

Biren also stressed on the issue of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, who entered the state without valid papers, while informing that approximately 410 Myanmarese nationals without proper valid documents have been arrested.

He said that the government has been giving serious focus and thrust on checking illegal immigrants.

The committee set up to check illegal immigrants has identified more than 2000 Myanmarese nationals who have entered the state due to the conflict in their country and are taking refuge at the shelter homes set up for them, he conveyed.

Highlighting the concern over the issue of illegal immigrants, the CM said that Manipur shares around 398km porous border with Myanmar.

However, despite cancelling the Free Movement Regime, which allowed travel up to 16 km on both sides, we are still unable to effectively deal with the illegal immigrant issue, he pointed out.

CM Biren then appealed to the people of Manipur especially those living in the border areas to cooperate with the government, in the larger interest of India's and Manipur's security, and help in identifying the illegal immigrants so that the government may put them into proper shelter homes.

ILP was implemented in the state with the approval of the central government to give a layer of protection to the local population, he said, while adding that the government will not compromise on its implementation.

Reacting strongly to a statement by a Mizorambased organisation in the media that it would not be good for the Meeteis in Mizoram if Manipur insist on ILP permit for anyone entering the state; Biren pointed that out of the seven Myanmarese nationals arrested recently from the airport during a routine ILP checking, five of them had identity documents from Mizoram.

He then said that there is no issue if the Mizoram government wants to issue passes to Manipur Meeteis, who will be entering their state.

Law and order is an internal matter and state subject and outsiders should refrain from meddling in such issues, the chief minister contended.

Meanwhile, the chief minister appreciated all the CSOs, village chiefs, villagers and Church leaders who have come out unitedly against poppy plantation.

Total eradication of illegal drugs and poppy plantation from the state is a commitment of the government and it is working hard to achieve this with a conviction, he added.

CM Biren then informed that on April 30, two people were arrested along with 16 kg of opium and Kenbo bike from Singhat area in Churachandpur.

A drug kingpin has also been arrested recently.

Biren continued that following report of a recent seizure of illegal drugs originated from Manipur in Assam, a special team of the NAB had investigated the case resulting in the arrest of a kingpin identified as Chandan Gupta, at present residing at Maram Bazar, Senapati.

During investigation, he (Chandan) revealed that he had sold 562 numbers of soap cases of illegal drugs in Dimapur and Guwahati.

Further investigation of his bank accounts has shown transactions of about Rs 1 crore.

Further from his revelation, two of his accomplices, identified as Deepak Kumar Jaiswal from UP and presently staying at Maram Bazar and K Athini of Senapati district, were arrested, the CM conveyed.

The event was also attended by ministers Thongam Biswajit Singh, Yumnam Khemchand, Konthoujam Govindas, Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh and Heikham Dingo Singh, MLA Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh and DGP P Doungel, among others.

Mention may be made that the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) or Mizo Students' Association, Aizawl, Mizoram expressed concern over the unfolding issues of ongoing eviction, especially actions against ethnic Zo people living in Manipur.

"We are closely monitoring the problems being faced by ethnic Zo people living under the government of Manipur.

The origin of these problems is the Manipur government's attempts to evict ethnic Zo people from their various settlements so that their lands can be taken from them and these tribal lands can be declared reserved forest, protected forest, wildlife sanctuaries and wetlands," stated MZP.

The Association alleged that the Manipur chief minister's initiatives are inimical to Northeast unity.

While the ILP is required for non-Mizoram residents, MZP claimed that they never demand it from or create problems for Manipuri (Meitei) people and treat them without discrimination.

According to the Mizo Students' body, they have been and will continue to promote unity among ethnic Zo people because it wants to preserve the brother/sisterhood of the community.

"Despite this, the Manipur Government is attempting to expel our brothers and sisters, who are people of the Northeast, from their own villages, and we are unable to accept this," MZP stated.

While demanding the Manipur government to immediately stop such initiatives that can be detrimental to ethnic Zo people, MZP further stated that demanding ILPs from those who are entering Manipur from Mizoram state is detrimental to ethnic Zo people, and can lead to discord between the Mizoram and Manipur governments.

The student body from Mizoram further warned that if the Manipur government continues to take action that is not safe for ethnic Zo people, "we will not be responsible for anything that happens to Manipuri (Meitei) people in Mizoram" .

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