The Home Department of the Manipur government issued a statement on Monday as they seek a detailed report from the Assam Rifles about the 718 Myanmar nationals who have entered the country through the war-torn Manipur in two days, July 22 and 23.
In the statement, the government questions how were illegal entries allowed when the government had already informed the security forces about a history of similar illegal entries. They had directed the Assam Rifles to take strict action against the entry of Myanmar nationals who are trying to enter the country without proper visas or travel documents.
The strife-torn Manipur is already in a vulnerable condition with its constant violence and lawlessness, so the state government is concerned about the provision of illegal arms and ammunition through these foreign individuals that might lead to a larger security issue for the country and its citizens, reportedly.
A Manipur legislator and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajkumar Imo Singh shared the state government statement and on Twitter and wrote, "State Government has sought a detailed clarification from authorities to clarify the reasons as to how the 718 Myanmar Nationals entered Manipur, India. They have been ordered to push back/deport all the Myanmar Nationals immediately to their own country. Manipur is for all the indigenous people from all communities, but let us all push and deport all illegal migrants from our State."
He continued to say, "Central Government has to ensure that no illegal person enters the territory of Manipur, India. Porous boundary needs to be fenced properly and identification of all illegal migrants needs to be completed on priority as ordered by the Central Government."
According to the state government statement, they received the report of the entry of 718 Myanmar nationals from the Headquarters 28 Sector Assam Rifles and it said, "718 fresh refugees have crossed Indo Myanmar Border (IMB) and entered in the general area of New Lajang (Latitude-23°51'11" and Longitude- 94°09'15") of Chandel District as on 23-07-2023 due to the ongoing clashes at Khampat (Opposite BP 58)."
The statement, signed by Manipur Chief Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, also mentioned, "The 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."
Further, the government clarifies that they need a reason as to why and how the entry was allowed and advice for a 'push back', it said, "sought a detailed report from the Assam Rifles authority to clarify on the facts and compelling circumstances/reasons, as to why and how these 718 Myanmar 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."
The government directed the Chandel district deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police to oversee the matter at hand and keep a record of the biometrics and photographs of the Myanmar nationals in question.
