CCM seeks PM's nod to help fleeing Myanmarese
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 29 2021: The Citizens Committee Manipur (CCM) has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India to treat fleeing Myanmar citizens humanely in the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.

In a memorandum submitted on May 27 to the PM, the CCM said it was formed in 2015 to complement the government both at the Centre and the region in articulating, understanding and evolving the contextual interventions for tackling critical public issues of the Northeast.

Drawing attention of the PM on the precarious condition of thousands of Myanmarese who fled their country following the crackdown on the pro-democracy protesters, the memorandum said the people of Myanmar have been by and large resisting the February 2021 military coup.

Consequent to the military retaliating with absolute repression, the hapless Myanmarese including women and children have crossed over into India through the historically, geographically and culturally contiguous 1,468 km long India-Myanmar border in North East India, particularly in the Manipur-Mizoram sector.

Whereas the Government of Mizoram took a natural and culture bounded decision that, given the fleeing population share ethno-cultural ties with the people of the state, it cannot remain indifferent to their plight.

Shelter camps were opened and food and basic essentials are provided to thousands of them.

The Government of Manipur initially forbid the district administration and CSOs from opening any camp to provide shelter and food in the border vide a letter of March 26 .

However, following strong public outcry, another letter on March 29 invalidated the earlier letter and assured to take all steps including taking them to Imphal and treating the injured Myanmarese.

Notwithstanding the kind words, no humanitarian aid has been extended to the desperate people stranded in the border.

On the other hand, there are reports of the Assam Rifles turning away the fleeing Myanmarese acting on the basis of Union Home Ministry's notification of March 10 instructing the North East states to sensitize all law enforcement and intelligence agencies for taking prompt steps in identifying the illegal migrants and initiate the deportation process expeditiously.

Under these circumstances CCM convened a meeting on April 18 at the residence of its chairman and former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam wherein the participants shared the present pains and suffering of the Myanmar citizens in general and particularly of those who have fled into the bordering villages of Manipur and surviving with full of uncertainties and hardships.

Recalling the long historical, demographic and cultural links between the peoples of Manipur and Myanmar and guided by spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is but one family), a Humanitarian Sub-Committee (HSC) was constituted under the chairmanship of professor Amar Yumnam, former VC in-charge of Manipur University.

CCM made a general appeal to the magnanimity of the people of Manipur to mobilise financial and material support from the general population.

The response has been overwhelming as not only the prominent citizens but even young students came out in support.

With coordination of the NGO volunteers active in the border areas, the team could send some food, medicine, clothing, sanitary materials, crockery and roofing materials to the border villages in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Churachandpur districts of Manipur catering to the basic needs of more than 500 refugees.

The initiative, grossly inadequate as it may be, was a life-saving intervention for the desperate stranded Myanmar citizens as well as the poor villagers hosting them with whatever warmth and hospitality they can garner.

Unfortunately, the plight of these people is compounded further by the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

As they are hiding away from the authorities of both Myanmar and India, they are neither tested nor vaccinated.

CCM has been informed of COVID related death amongst the population and is deeply concerned that if kept unattended, it can soon spread to the local population and can add to the already catastrophic situation in the country.

In the memorandum, CMM also welcomed the High Court of Manipur judgement of May 3 upholding the human rights of seven Myanmar nationals who entered India secretly to travel to New Delhi to seek protection from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Even though India is not a party to the UN Refugee Conventions, the judgement insisted India is a party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966).In line with this judicial pronouncement and the primacy of enhancing the people to people relations for deepening the impact of the Act East Policy, CCM strongly urged the Government of India to take its own constitutional and human rights obligations more seriously.

In the event of any constrains from the side of the government due to the ongoing pandemic or otherwise, specialised humanitarian agencies geared up to respond to such situations, including the UNHCR, should be given unhindered access to provide their humanitarian services, the memorandum signed by CCM chairman Radhabinod Koijam and other functionaries said.

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