Manipur News Today: Manipur Govt wants to send back 718 Myanmar refugees | Guwahati News – Times of India

GUWAHATI: The Manipur government asked Assam Rifles on Tuesday to repatriate 718 refugees from neighbouring Myanmar who are believed to have entered the state over the weekend and questioned lapses by the paramilitary force guarding the international border in preventing the entry of these foreigners.

Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, thousands of people have fled the country and sought refuge in Manipur and Mizoram.

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh has accused these “infiltrators” from Myanmar of being responsible for the ethnic violence in the state since May 3. He also holds them accountable for deforestation, poppy cultivation, and drug trafficking.State seeks report on Myanmar influx
Assam Rifles formally informed the Manipur state government about the entry of this fresh batch of refugees on Sunday.

According to information provided by the headquarters of 28 sector of Assam Rifles, 209 men, 208 women and 301 children have entered the New Lajang area in Chandel district of Manipur as a result of the ongoing clashes in the Sagaing region of Myanmar.
Manipur chief secretary Vineet Joshi expressed concern over the illegal entry of these refugees, underscoring that they should not have been allowed to enter India without proper travel documents. He has sought a report on the matter.
The deputy commissioner of Chandel district as well as the superintendent of police were being asked to record and store biometrics of the refugees and take their photographs before they are deported.
Earlier in April, an internal report of the state government identified over 2,000 illegal immigrants from across the border in four hill districts. The verification drive was undertaken to guide the functioning of the Manipur State Population Commission and other authorities on the identification of Myanmarese nationals in the state following large-scale influx of immigrants/refugees.

A verification drive was undertaken in Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur, Pherzawl and Kamjong in the first phase in April.
The state government is now working on issuing temporary ID cards to the Myanmar immigrants to accommodate them in shelter homes until the situation in their home country improves for deportation.