Just as the violence and horrific incidents in Manipur are making headlines across the country, the Home Ministry issued a statement late on Monday night that over 700 Myanmar nationals have entered Manipur over the last two days, putting more strain on the clashes.

The Manipur government on July 24 asked the Assam Rifles to immediately “push back” 718 Myanmar nationals, including 301 children, who entered the State illegally on July 22 and 23. The State government also sought a detailed report from the border guarding force on how the “refugees” were allowed to “enter illegally.

Chief Minister Biren Singh-led Manipur government said that the case of fresh migrants' infiltration would be dealt with utmost sensitivity given the international ramification and the current law and order in the state.

Manipur chief secretary Vineet Joshi said in a communication to the Assam Rifles late on Monday that “in connection with similar issues in the past, the State government had clearly informed the Assam Rifles, being border guarding force, to take strict action to prevent entry of Myanmar nationals into Manipur on any ground without valid visa/travel documents as per the instruction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.”

“…State Government has sought a 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,” Joshi said.

The Chief Secretary has 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.

This comes just a few days after a horrific video of two women being paraded naked in the middle of the street in Manipur went viral on social media, sparking a massive wave of outrage against the ethnic violence in the state.

Meanwhile, after the military takeover in Myanmar in February 2021, thousands of citizens of Myanmar 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 of unfenced border with Myanmar.

Image source: PTI