The State government requested a thorough report from the border patrol about how the “refugees” were permitted to “enter illegally.”
On July 24, the Manipur administration requested the Assam Rifles to promptly “push back” 718 Myanmar nationals who had unlawfully entered the State on July 22 and 23. Among them were 301 children.
Additionally, the State government asked the border patrol to provide a thorough report on how the “refugees” were allowed to “enter illegally.”
A total of 718 new refugees entered the New Lajang area in Chandel on July 22 and 23, according to the Assam Rifles, who also requested the presence of a representative for joint verification of the “illegal migrants.”
This was because of “ongoing clashes” at Khampat in the Chin State of Myanmar.
Since a military takeover in the neighboring country in February 2021, more than 40,000 migrants from Myanmar have sought safety in Mizoram and Manipur.
According to a defense source, the refugees, who number 208, escaped to India during a battle between the Myanmar Army and the insurgent People’s Defence Forces (PDF) that lasted more than 48 hours. There have been rumors of flying Myanmar Army reinforcements.
Assam Rifles received a communication from Manipur Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi on Monday in which he stated that “in connection with similar issues in the past, the State government had 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.”
The State government, according to the letter, takes the “fresh illegal entry of 718 refugees very seriously and with utmost sensitivity as the same may have international ramifications, more particularly in view of the ongoing law and order issues.”
According to the statement, the State government requested a thorough report from the Assam Rifles to explain the facts and the compelling circumstances and reasons behind why and how these 718 Myanmar nationals were permitted to enter India without valid travel documents, “along with strict advice to push back those 718 illegal Myanmar nationals immediately.”
It went on to say that the Chandel District’s Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police had also been instructed to supervise the push-back’s implementation and to take biometric and photographic data on every one of these people.
Moving forward, addressing this refugee crisis will require close collaboration between the authorities in Manipur, Assam Rifles, and relevant central government agencies.
Prioritizing the safety and well-being of the displaced individuals, especially the children, should remain a key focus in managing this challenging situation.
Additionally, long-term solutions, both at the domestic and international levels, need to be explored to address the root causes of the crisis and ensure stability in the region.
