Over 700 Myanmar Nationals Enter Manipur In 2 Days, Govt Seeks Reply from Assam Rifles

The Manipur government has demanded a comprehensive report from the Assam Rifles regarding the entry of over 718 Myanmar nationals, including 301 children, into India without proper travel documents. This occurred over a span of just two days, between July 22 and 23.

Manipur's Chief Secretary, Vineet Joshi, communicated to the Assam Rifles that the state government had previously instructed them, as the border guarding force, to take stringent action to prevent the entry of Myanmar nationals into Manipur without valid visas or travel documents, in accordance with the Ministry of Home Affairs' instructions.

The Assam Rifles had informed the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district that 718 fresh refugees crossed the Indo-Myanmar border and entered Manipur through Chandel district on July 23, due to ongoing clashes at Khampat.

The Manipur government requested a detailed report from the Assam Rifles to clarify the facts and reasons behind allowing these 718 Myanmar nationals to enter India without proper travel documents. Additionally, they urged the authorities to push back these illegal entrants promptly. The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police in Chandel District were also advised to oversee the implementation of this and to keep biometric data and photographs of all such individuals.

In the meantime, Manipur Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with a "fake news" item. The video, showing the killing of a woman by armed men in Myanmar, was falsely described as an incident in Manipur, and it was being circulated to incite unrest. The police are actively working to apprehend those responsible for spreading this fake news.

Tensions have escalated in the hills of Manipur since May 3 due to ethnic violence. The state witnessed a "Tribal Solidarity March" on May 4, organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This led to more than 160 fatalities and several injuries. The Manipur Police have already arrested seven individuals in connection with the incident.

To provide some context, Manipur's population comprises approximately 53% Meiteis, mostly residing in the Imphal Valley, and 40% tribals (Nagas and Kukis), residing in the hill districts.