AR asked to furnish details on influx
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 24 2023:
The government of Manipur has sought a detailed report from the Assam Rifles authority and clarity on facts and circumstances/reasons, as to why and how 718 Myanmarese nationals were allowed to enter into India in Chandel district without proper travel documents; along with strict advice to push back those 718 illegal Myanmar nationals immediately.
An order in this regard issued by chief secretary Vineet Joshi on Monday said that the state government had in connection with similar issues in the past clearly informed Assam Rifles, being border guarding force, to take strict action to prevent entry of Myanmarese nationals into Manipur without valid travel documents as per the instruction of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The order also said that state government views the fresh illegal entry of 718 refugees very seriously with utmost sensitivity as the same may have international ramifications, more particularly in view of the ongoing law and order issues and accordingly seeks detailed report from the Assam Rifles.
The order also directed DC and SP Chandel to oversee implementation of the Home ministry directive and also keep biometrics and photographs of all such persons.
In a startling revelation, infiltration about 718 illegal immigrants from Myanmar into the state through the Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district sector on July 22 and 23 has been communicated by Lieutenant Colonel Venkata Ravi Kiran J of HQ 28 Sector Assam Rifles in a communique to the DC Chandel, with a request to the latter to depute officials for joint verification of the newly arrived immigrants.
The infiltration of illegal immigrants has raised concerns, particularly due to their suspected involvement in the ongoing crisis in the region.
According to the letter sent by the Assam Rifles, this is not the first instance of such an occurrence as a similar request was also made to the Chandel DC on January 28 .
The latest influx of 718 illegal immigrants into Manipur can be attributed to the ongoing clash in Myanmar's Khampat area, situated opposite to Border Pillar No 58, the letter from Assam Rifles said.
The immigrants were found scattered in different areas within Chandel district.
On July 22,13 illegal immigrants were found in New La-jang village.
The following day, the numbers surged with 38 arriving at Bonse, 89 at New Samtal, 230 at New Lajang, 143 at Yangnomphai village, 175 at Yangnomphai Saw Mill, and 30 at Aivomjang village.
The group of illegal immigrants includes 209 males, 208 females, and 301 children.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation , and the joint verification process is expected to shed more light on the extent and implications of the influx.
With tensions running high in the region, addressing the issue of illegal immigration has become a matter of great importance for the state government.
Mention may be made that Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), which is spearheading the campaign against the Meeteis, as well as several scholars from the Kuki community have been denying presence of illegal immigrants within the territory of Manipur with some arguing that the extent of influx could be at 100s but not at 1000s.In-spite of the narrative attributing the conflict to order by a High Court related to the ST status demand for Meetei/Meitei community, the core issues of the ongoing crisis remain illegal immigration and their assisted settlement, illegal poppy cultivation, destruction of natural forest land and Myanmar's drug cartels making their way to the northeast part of India.
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