Manipur CM N Biren Singh: Biometric data registration for over 5,000 illegal immigrants from Myanmar completed
- In Reports
- 07:52 PM, May 08, 2024
- Myind Staff
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has confirmed that out of the 5,457 illegal immigrants detected from Myanmar, biometric data for 5,173 individuals has been registered.
Speaking to X, Singh stated, "The Government has identified a total of 5,457 illegal immigrants in Kamjong District, Manipur as of May 7th, 2024. Out of this figure, biometric data for 5,173 individuals has been collected thus far. The deportation process is currently underway. We have been providing humanitarian aid to all the illegal immigrants identified so far. Despite the alarming situation, we have been handling it with the utmost sensitivity."
Last week, 38 Myanmarese nationals were deported from Manipur to their country. With the deportation of 38 more immigrants from Manipur to Myanmar, a total of 77 illegal Myanmarese migrants, including 55 women and five children, have been deported to their country since March.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated on X, "We have completed the first phase of deportation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar without any discrimination, with 38 more immigrants departing Manipur, India, today through Moreh."
He stated that a total of 77 illegal immigrants had been deported in the first phase, with one Indian national also brought back from Myanmar during the handover ceremony.
The State Government is currently continuing the identification of illegal immigrants, while simultaneously recording their biometric data, in efforts to keep the borders and country secure. The Myanmar nationals fled to Manipur after the military junta seized power in that country on February 1, 2021.
Since the military takeover in Myanmar over three years ago, armed clashes have persisted between the Army and pro-democracy civilian armed forces. As a result, more than 5,000 Myanmar nationals, including women and children, have sought refuge in Manipur, while over 32,000 people have taken shelter in Mizoram.
Additionally, hundreds of Myanmarese soldiers have fled to Mizoram in different phases after their camps were captured by armed pro-democracy ethnic groups. These groups intensified their battle against the Army in early October last year.
All the Army personnel were deported to Myanmar in various phases. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Manipur government has been gathering the biometric information of the Myanmar nationals residing in the state.
Since the outbreak of violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year, at least 220 people have been killed, 1,500 injured, and 60,000 displaced. The riots commenced following the organisation of a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts, protesting against the Meitei community's request for Scheduled Tribe status.
Image source: The Economic Times
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