Manipur government takes serious note of illegal immigrants, orders action

By Indrajit Kundu: The Manipur government on Monday took serious note of the illegal immigration after Assam Rifles reported that over 700 Mayanmar immigrants had entered the Chandel district of the hill state.

Chief Minister Biren Singh-led Manipur government said that the case of fresh migrants’ infiltration would be dealt with the utmost sensitivity given the international ramification and the current law and order in the state.

The state government has sought a detailed report from the Assam Rifles authority. The government has asked to clarify how the 718 Myanmar nationals were allowed to enter the Chandel district without proper travel documents.

The government has also advised to immediately push back the 718 illegal Myanmarese immigrants.

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The deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Chandel district have been advised to oversee the implementation and keep biometrics and photographs of all such persons.

The law and order situation in Manipur remains grim as over 150 people have lost their lives and several injured since ethnic violence broke out out in Manipur on May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.

Tensions further mounted in the hill state after a May 4 video surfaced on social video platforms, showing two women being paraded naked by dozens of men.

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