Push back 718 Myanmar nationals immediately who entered Manipur illegally during unrest: State govt to Assam Rifles

New Delhi, July 25: The Manipur government has strictly ordered Assam Rifles to "push back" 718 Myanmar nationals, including 301 children, who reportedly entered the state on July 22 and 23 due to the ongoing unrest in the neighbouring country.

 

The government has also sought a report on “why and how” the nationals were allowed to enter India without proper documents.

 

On July 23, 28 Sector Assam Rifles wrote to the deputy commissioner of Manipur’s Chandel district reporting a “fresh illegal influx” of Myanmar nationals along the Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel. According to the Assam Rifles report, the 718 people arrived at six locations in the district over the two days because of ongoing clashes in Khampat in western Myanmar.

  

Of these, 301 are children, 208 are women and 209 are men. In the letter, Assam Rifles requested the deputy commissioner to send a representative for “joint verification” of the immigrants.

 

In a statement issued on Monday night, Manipur Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi asked Assam Rifles as to how the Myanmar refugees entered the state despite strict instruction to the central force to prevent entry of foreign nationals without valid visa or travel documents. The statement said the 718 migrants including 208 women and 301 children entered New Lajang area in Chandel district on July 22 and 23. They entered the Northeastern state after fresh violence broke out in Myanmar, it said.

 

 

"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. In view of above, state government has sought detailed report from 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," said the statement.

 

Manipur share 390kms of the total 1,634kms of India's border with Myanmar. But most stretches has remained unfenced allowing the migrants, militants and criminals to carry out unlawful activities. Assam Rifles guards the India-Myanmar borders.

The state government has also asked the Deputy Commisisoner of Chandel to oversee the push back exercise and maintain their biometrics.