The Manipur state government has sought a report from the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, on how 718 illegal immigrants from Myanmar managed to enter Manipur in the last two days, Indian media reported on Tuesday.
Assam Rifles Guard Indo-Myanmar Border
As per a state government report, 718 Myanmar nationals, including 301 children, "were allowed to enter India" without “proper travel documents” between 22 and 23 July from Manipur's Chandel district.
Manipur Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi on Monday sought to know from the Assam Rifles how the Myanma were allowed to enter India without "proper travel documents" and asked the border-guard force to push back the illegal immigrants immediately.
Manipur Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi said the state government views the influx “very seriously” and that it may have “international ramifications more particularly because of the ongoing law and order issue”.
The report came as Manipur has been witnessing deadly ethnic violence since May. As per media reports, over 160 people have lost their lives, with hundreds injured, and thousands displaced.
Myanmar, which lies on the eastern side of India's border, shares a border with four Indian states – Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
India and Myanmar also have a free movement regime (FMR) with passes for people living on the border visiting relatives in other nations. Under the FMR, both sides allowed free movement within 16 km on both sides.
However, the movement was restricted during COVID-19, and in September 2022, the Manipur government suspended the FMR, citing political tensions in Myanmar.
The Manipur government is trying to constitute a Population Commission to implement a drive against “illegal immigrants” from Bangladesh and Myanmar.