Centre requested to permanently close Free Movement Regime with Myanmar: CM N Biren Singh

Imphal: Chief Minister N Biren Singh made several significant announcements during a press briefing at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal on Saturday morning joined by Ministers Govindas Konthoujam, Thounaojam Basantakumar, MLA Khumukcham Joykisan and Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi.

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N Biren Singh announced that the internet services ban in Manipur, including mobile internet services, would be lifted from today. He said the state government had imposed a ban on internet services in the state as a precautionary measure in the wake of Manipur violence which erupted on May 3. Airtel’s alleged leakage of internet service in Churachandpur amid the statewide internet shutdown has been found to be true and two employees have been subsequently suspended, he added.

Highlighting the need for enhanced border security and control, Chief Minister N Biren attributed the influx of illegal immigrants to the inefficiency of security forces in border areas and Free Movement Regime along the Indo-Myanmar Border. He stated that the government had resolved to continue the functioning of the cabinet sub-committee which was formed with Minister Letpao Haokip as the chairman to check and identify illegal immigrants coming from outside, with the objective of protecting and safeguarding the future generation of the indigenous people.

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As biometric recording is necessary as preliminary to the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the state government has urged the Centre to extend the time for the Biometric process by a year in the State, he said, adding that it is the first priority. 

N Biren Singh said that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar, which allows people on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country, is suspended at the moment and that the Centre has been requested to permanently close the agreement with the state.

Further explaining the importance of border fencing to check the influx of illegal immigrants, the Chief Minister said work for fencing along the international boundary by identifying some vulnerable stretches has been awarded to the Border Road Organisation.

N Biren Singh also said the government will intensify the drive against drugs and illegal poppy cultivation. The Chief Minister said a joint committee of the Narcotics Control Bureau and Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) has been formed to survey and destroy poppy plantations. He said the government is using drones to check illegal poppy cultivation and will also be purchasing an Unmanned Air Vehicle, UAV, for the purpose.

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Further explaining the importance of border fencing to check the influx of illegal immigrants, the Chief Minister said work for fencing along the international boundary by identifying some vulnerable stretches has been awarded to the Border Road Organisation.

N Biren Singh also said the government will intensify the drive against drugs and illegal poppy cultivation. He said a joint committee of the Narcotics Control Bureau and Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) has been formed to survey and destroy poppy plantations. He said the government is using drones to check illegal poppy cultivation and will also be purchasing an Unmanned Air Vehicle, UAV, for the purpose.

N Biren Singh claimed that firing incidents in the state’s periphery have significantly been reduced over the past one month or so with proper deployment of security forces in vulnerable areas. He mentioned that the BSF and CRPF have replaced 22 Assam Rifles at Narensena and Thamnapokpi areas of Bishnupur District, while the BSF has replaced 9 Assam Rifles at Koutruk village in Imphal West District.

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The Chief Minister expressed concern that during the past two three months, certain splinter groups who wear police uniforms and are armed have created unrest in the society with a series of unwanted incidents like kidnapping, shooting of persons, etc. He highlighted a few incidents including kidnapping of an engineer from Tingri by unknown armed persons in combat dress, kidnapping of a Kom individual, placing of grenade in at residence for extortion, among others.

N Biren Singh further lamented distrust and disrespect shown to the government by a section of the society and said that it is the government with the support of the public that is facing all the issues in the State.

Manipur Chief Minister his assurance that the state government is striving its best for the resettlement of displaced people and said that around 700 displaced people have started resettling in Torbung and some in Sugnu. He sought trust in the government and said that the government stands firmly with the commitment against the breaking of Manipur.

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Condemning the spread of fake news which creates unrest in the State, N Biren lamented that certain organizations formed in localities seem to be dictating unrest.

N Biren said, steps are being taken to ensure that there is rule of law in all districts of the State with public cooperation. He also appealed to the public to stop unlawful activities which will invite the imposition of AFSPA and also appealed to stop mob attacks on police personnel who are performing their duties to keep law and order in check.  

The Chief Minister concluded with an appeal for all to join hands and stand unitedly including all indigenous communities including those Kuki people who have been residing in the state for centuries to rebuild the old peaceful Manipur and resettling the displaced families.

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