Amid Ethnic Clashes, Manipur Begins Capturing Biometric Details Of Illegal Immigrants From Myanmar

The Manipur government restarted its campaign to capture biometric details of illegal Myanmar immigrants on Saturday.

It resumed on the instructions of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). "On instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to complete the campaign for biometric capture of illegal Myanmar immigrants in the State of Manipur by September 2023, the Government of Manipur has resumed its campaign for biometric capture of all illegal Myanmar immigrants in the State from today," the release said.

The press release said that a team of officials of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) assisted the State Government officials in capturing biometric data of illegal immigrants in Imphal East District today.

"A team of officials of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), deputed by the Ministry of Home Affairs for training and handholding of State Government Officers in this campaign, assisted the State Government officials in capturing biometric data of illegal immigrants at Foreigners' Detention Centre, Sajiwa, Imphal East District today," it said.

"The campaign will continue in all districts until biometric data of all illegal Myanmar immigrants in the State are successfully captured. The same is targeted for completion by September 2023," the release added.

Since May 3, Manipur has been embroiled in an ethnic conflict between the Kuki tribe, predominantly residing in the hills, and the Meiteis, who constitute the majority in the valley.

According to officials, both the Mizoram and Manipur governments have identified over 37,000 migrants who have been included in negative lists for Aadhaar and Voter identity.

The Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar was initially established to acknowledge the traditional social ties shared by border communities, facilitating the movement of genuine individuals residing in close proximity to the border.

However, it has been exploited by militants and criminals involved in the smuggling of weapons, narcotics, contraband goods, and counterfeit Indian currency notes. The recent crackdown by the Junta government on the Kuki-Chin community in neighbouring Myanmar has resulted in the FMR being utilized by migrants seeking refuge in the region.