Newmai News Network
Imphal: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said protection of the indigenous community is the priority of both the central and state governments. He asserted that the deportation of illegal immigrants would continue.
Addressing a press conference at the chief minister’s secretariat in Imphal today, Biren Singh said, “We will continue the deportation of illegal immigrants to protect the state.”
He also said that Manipur has already been affected by various challenges and threats posed by illegal immigration, forest encroachment and poppy plantations.
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The chief minister was reacting to a recent statement by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) accusing the Indian authorities of forced deportation of Myanmar refugees while saying that it violates the principle of non-refoulement.
It also asked the Indian authorities to halt any further plans to forcibly deport more Myanmar refugees.
The Manipur chief minister said that they had come across certain news articles on a selected media house of an NGO called the International Committee of Jurists (ICJ) which had urged India to halt the deportation of Myanmar refugees.
“This organization does not have a clear understanding of the ground reality in Manipur. We are not dealing with illegal immigration under normal circumstances. The demography, history and identity of the indigenous people of Manipur are being threatened,” he said.
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He denied the allegation of forced deportation saying that the deportation of the illegal immigrants was done after communicating with the concerned authorities of Myanmar.
Reiterating that the protection of the indigenous community is the priority of the government, the chief minister said that the government is also aware of the fact that “certain so-called rights activists and part-time social workers” are closely involved with some groups who are attempting to create more hostility and divisions in the state.
“They are closely working with the ones spreading lies and hatred against the state and the people of Manipur. They must understand that their work goes against the larger interests of the people of the state and nation,” Biren said.
“This is a matter of national security and justice will prevail,” he further said.
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At the same time, Biren Singh said that his government is well aware of the displacement of a large number of people due to the ongoing civil war in the neighbouring country, Myanmar.
“Many are entering Manipur illegally due to the prevailing situation in Myanmar”, he said and added that to date a total of 5801 illegal Myanmar migrants have been detected in the Kamjong district of Manipur. Among them, 15 have expired due to natural causes, and 359 have returned to their native places in Myanmar voluntarily. Currently, 5457 illegal Myanmar migrants are in the district,” he informed.
These 5457 migrants are taking shelter in eight villages in designated camps which are located far from local habitation to prevent mixing with local people, Biren said.
The chief minister also said that the migrants are keen to go back to Myanmar as the cultivation season has started butthey have become hesitant due to bombing by the Myanmar army in the past few days.
The illegal migrants will be deported to Myanmar by the administration as and when the situation improves in Myanmar, he said.
Biren then urged the people of the state not to panic or spread rumours and to understand to the public that relief is being provided on humanitarian grounds.
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