Imphal: On Tuesday, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, also the Leader of the House, proposed forming a House Committee in the Manipur Legislative Assembly to examine the influx of illegal immigrants through the state’s borders. This proposal came during a response to a Calling Attention Motion raised by MLA Leishiyo Keishing of Phungyar A/C during the morning session on the fifth day of the ongoing 6th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Chief Minister Biren attributed the influx of immigrants to the ongoing unrest in Myanmar. He emphasized that villagers found providing shelter to immigrants would face legal consequences, although currently, immigrants are being given shelter on humanitarian grounds. He highlighted the threat posed by the long stretch of unguarded state border with Myanmar.
To address the issue of immigrant influx in the districts of Kamjong, Chandel, Churachandpur, and Tengnoupal, a special team consisting of District Administration and Police officers at the SDPO rank has been formed to collect biometric data of the immigrants.
In response to a separate Calling Attention Motion by MLA Surjakumar Okram of Khangabok A/C, Chief Minister Biren announced that a meeting would be held with the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) to discuss the extension of the moratorium at the state level.
Additionally, Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai provided updates on relief assistance received for various natural disasters:
- Rs 38.71 crore for the 2015 flood.
- Rs 14.65 crore for the 2016 earthquake.
- Rs 110.82 crore for the 2017 floods and landslides.
- Rs 26.53 crore for the 2019 drought.
- A proposal of Rs 711.42 crore for the recent 2024 hailstorm has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, pending approval.
- Another proposal of Rs 371.58 crore for the flood following Remal has also been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, awaiting sanction.
During the assembly session, Power Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, responding to a question from MLA K. Ranjit Singh of Sugnu A/C, assured that the results for the written test/examination for Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ staff of MSPDCL and MSPCL will be declared before the end of 2024.
