The Manipur government -- on the instructions of the Home Ministry -- on Saturday began collecting the biometrics of illegal Myanmar immigrants in the northeastern state, an official said, adding the exercise would be completed by September.
A team of officials of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), deputed by the Home Ministry, assisted the state government officials in collecting the biometrics of illegal immigrants at the Foreigners' Detention Centre at Sajiwa in Imphal East district on Saturday.
The exercise would continue in all districts until the data of all illegal Myanmar immigrants in the state are collected.
As many as 718 Myanmar nationals, including 301 children and 208 women, have entered Manipur's Chandel district on July 22 and 23 due to the ongoing clashes between the Army and the civil forces in the neighbouring country.
The Myanmar nationals are now staying in seven locations of the Chandel district -- Lajang, Bonse, New Samtal, New Lajang, Yangnomphai, Yangnomphai Saw Mill, and Aivomjang -- all villages along the India-Myanmar border.
Manipur Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi on July 24 had asked the Assam Rifles to push back the Myanmar nationals.
"The government has sought a detailed report from the Assam Rifles to clarify on the facts and reasons, as to why and how these 718 Myanmar nationals were allowed to enter into India in Chandel district without proper travel documents. The state government has strictly advised the Assam Rifles to push back those 718 illegal Myanmar nationals immediately," the Chief Secretary had said.
Joshi further said that the state government has told the Assam Rifles to take strict action to prevent entry of Myanmar nationals into Manipur on any ground without valid visa and travel documents as per the instructions of the Home Ministry.
"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," he said.
The Chief Secretary had asked the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Chandel district to deal with the situation effectively and also keep biometrics and photographs of all such persons.
Meanwhile, after the military takeover in Myanmar in February 2021, thousands of Myanmarese fled to Mizoram with around 35,000 men, women and children from that country now staying in the mountainous state.
Around 5,000 Myanmarese also earlier took shelter in Manipur.
Manipur has around 400 km and Mizoram has 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar.
Pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil suspends indefinite hunger strike
Pro-Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Thursday suspended his indefinite hunger strike while giving a warning to the state government to stage a fresh protest in Mumbai if the demands made by him are not met.
Some people politicising Manipur’s ethnic violence, confusing people: CM Biren Singh
Biren Singh said that his government's opposition to the immigrants in the state is because they are engaged in drug-related activities and poppy cultivation and these migrants are also creating serious socio-economic problems for the indigenous people.
India world's go-to launch pad: PM Modi
India is becoming the world's go-to launch pad with a record number of foreign satellites being launched from the country in the last decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.
Terrorist movement detected along LoC in J&K's Poonch, firing exchange on
Alert troops detected terrorist movement along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Khari Karmara area of J&K’s Poonch district on Thursday after which a firing exchange broke out between the soldiers and the terrorists and is still on, the Army said.
Budget session of Parliament kicks off tomorrow
The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on Friday (January 31) with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman scheduled to table the Economic Survey after President Droupadi Murmu addresses the joint session of both Houses in the morning.
PM Modi shares glimpses of his journey towards Viksit Bharat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a series of captivating pictures highlighting his key engagements throughout January, showcasing India's journey towards a "Viksit Bharat".
No survivors yet of mid-air Washington DC collision
No survivors have yet been found of American Eagle Flight 5342 that collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan National Airport in Washington DC Wednesday night.
Will make proposals based on NE’s socio-economic & geographical situations: Arvind Panagariya
The 16th Finance Commission while making its recommendations would keep in mind the socio-economic and geographical situations of the northeastern states, the panel chairman Arvind Panagariya said here on Thursday.