50 more non-locals detected, handed to police
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2016: Volunteers of JCILPS, Advanced Women Society, Awang Sekmai and Awang Sekmai Protection Committee further detected 50 more non-locals while checking inter-State passenger buses at Awang Sekmai Nongthonband today as well.

The non-local workers hailing from Assam, West Bengal and Maharashtra were detected while checking 10 Imphal-bound buses.

After having a thorough verification, all the non-locals were handed over to the police.

JCILPS assistant convenor Hayatur Rahaman Yumkhaibam said that they have stopped unregulated entry of 566 non-locals into the State in the past few days.

verification of non locals at Sekmai

He said that of the 61 non-locals detected today, 11 were freed as they were found to be students of Central Agricultural University, Manipur University and other institutes while the remaining 50 including 14 minors born between 2005 to 2007 and a woman have been handed over to Sekmai police for further verification.

The State Labour Department must not remain silent now but look into the as the constant cases of bringing in minors as child labour is prohibited, he said.

He further said that many foreigners have also been sneaking into Manipur as the State is situated close to Myanmar and Bangladesh.

As such, the Central and State Governments must consider effective enforcement of Foreigner's Act, he said.

He said that many non-local workers are employed by many families and firms in Manipur because the Government is yet to implement a policy to identify and regulate the areas where they must be employed.

Awang Sekmai Protection Committee president Angom Rajesh said that Sekmai police have been extending all necessary co-operation while carrying out the drive that began on July 21 .

He urged the public not to spread rumour of releasing the detained non-locals by Sekmai police by taking bribes.