Imphal: All the illegal immigrants entering into Indian territory will be deported back to their original countries with due process of law, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said here on Sunday, arguing that protecting the indigenous people is paramount to his government.
Speaking to media persons at his official residence, the Chief Minister said that due to the current civil war in our eastern neighbour, at least 5801 illegal immigrants from Myanmar have entered Manipur and are currently taking shelter in eight villages in the district of Kamjoing. Of these, 15 have expired due to natural causes and 359 have returned to Myanmar, he added.
Their designated camps are located far from the local habitations to prevent them from mixing with local people, said Biren Singh, adding that the village local committee is mostly managing the accommodation and maintenance of the designated camps with ration provided by the district administration of Kamjong.
The Chief Minister said immigrants are provided identity cards by the district administration and headcount is done every alternate day. Many of them are keen to go back to Myanmar as cultivation season has started but they have become hesitant due to bombing by the Myanmar army in the past few days.
Biren further informed that apart from strengthening the security deployment in the district, the administration has also started capturing the biometrics of those illegal immigrants and uploading on the MHA portal for 284 people whose biometrics have not been captured yet. Those illegal immigrants will be deported back to Myanmar by district administration, as and when the situation improves in that country, he continued.
Govt not under NGO
While urging the people of the state not to panic or spread false rumours, the Manipur Chief Minister also rejected an appeal made by one NGO – the International Committee of Jurists (ICJ), which had urged India to halt the deportation of Myanmar refugees. This organisation does not have a clear understanding of the ground reality of Manipur, he added.
“We’re not dealing with illegal immigration under normal circumstances. The demography, history and identity of the indigenous people of Manipur are being threatened,” he added. The Chief Minister stressed that the protection of our indigenous communities is the priority of both the Central and State governments.
Biren Singh said the state has already been affected by various challenges. Unfortunately, these so-called right activists and part-time social workers are closely involved with some groups who are attempting to create more hostility and divisions in the states.
Their work goes against the large interest of the people of the people and nation. This is a matter of national security, he continued.
