Imphal: Amid the ongoing armed conflicts in neighbouring country Myanmar, the Indian territory of Manipur has witnessed a rapid influx of illegal immigrants from the troubled-torn country. Many experts attribute the current ethnic violence in the Indian State of Manipur as a result of a huge influx from Myanmar too.
The continuous and huge influx issue has raised concerns amongst the general public in Manipur and also become a matter of huge concern for the administration and security agencies. Looking at the urgency to tackle the matter of influx of illegal immigration, Lieutenant Col Venkata Ravi Kiran J, in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district in Manipur, stated that as many as 718 illegal immigrants had entered Indian territory in a single day. Due to ongoing clashes at Khampat, Myanmar, 718 fresh refugees have entered the general area of New Lajang of Chandel district on July 23.
As per the data available with the Indian army and stated by Lieutenant Col Venkata Ravi Kiran J, on July 22- 13, illegal immigrants arrived at New Lajang- with 2 males, 03 females and 8 children. One day later, on July 23, the security agencies saw a massive influx of Myanmar nationals to Indian territory. As many as 301 people entered India from the Myanmar side on the day.
Lieutenant Col Venkata Ravi Kiran J, in his letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district, stated that 38 illegal immigrants arrived at Bonse, 89 arrived at New Samtal, 230 arrived at New Lajang, 143 arrived at Yangnomphai village, 175 arrived at Yangon Phai saw mill and 30 arrived at Aivomjang village on July 23. Out of these 718 Myanmar nationals who entered Indian territory on July 23- 209 are males, 208 are females, and 301 are children. The Manipur Government on July 24 asked the Assam Rifles to immediately push back 718 illegal intruders, including 301 children, who entered the State illegally.
On the other hand, an internal report submitted by IGP Kabib K (Intelligence, Narcotics and Affairs of Border) to the Commissioner (Home) in June this year reveals shocking data on illegal immigrants from Myanmar in five hill districts of Manipur.
On February 16, 2023, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising three cabinet ministers, Letpao Haokip, Awangbow Newmai and Th Basanta Kumar Singh, to assess the influx from Myanmar to the Indian territory. The high-power Cabinet Sub-Committee was constituted by the governor to guide the functioning of the Manipur State Population Commission and other authorities. The sole motive of the committee was to help the State authorities on the identification of illegal immigrants and other refugees from Myanmar to Indian territory. The Cabinet Sub-Committee was formed keeping in view the prevailing political crisis and armed conflicts in Myanmar. Following orders from the Manipur Government, the first phase detection drive was conducted in April. A report regarding the same was sent to the Commissioner, Home, on June 6, by the IGP Intelligence, Narcotics & Affairs of Border.
Manipur Government officials who were part of the exercise later revealed that, it came to light that many immigrants or refugees from Myanmar had not only built houses in five hill districts but had established proper villages in the hill districts of Manipur. During the detection drive in the five hill districts, a total of 2,480 illegal immigrants or refugees from Myanmar were detected by the authorities. Out of these 2,480 illegal immigrants, 1,147 people were detected in the Tengnoupal district, where they have established 13 villages. In Chandel, a total of 1,175 people were detected in 10 villages. These villages were established by illegal immigrants and refugees from Myanmar in recent times. Likewise, 154 illegal Myanmar nationals established 6 new villages in hill areas of Churachandpur district. It should be mentioned that heavy influx from troubled torn Myanmar continues to Manipur and Mizoram. But hundreds of these illegal immigrants and refugees have made the Indian territory their permanent address, which has caused a threat to national security.
