Biren Singh govt in Manipur closes door to refugees fleeing Myanmar violence

GUWAHATI: The N Biren Singh-led government has ordered 6 district administrations to block the illegal entry of Myanmar nationals who are fleeing from the violence that has erupted following the coup.

On March 28, the government instructed the Deputy Commissioners of Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Ukhrul, and Churachandpur to block the entry of Myanmarese nations.

"As a fall out of the events taking place in the neighbouring Myanmar, it is reported that the country's nationals have been trying enter India through the Border States including Manipur," the notice, undersigned by M. Gyan Prakash, the Special Secretary (Home).

In the notice, the district administrations have been instructed to not open any camps "to provide food and shelter" to the Myanmarese nationals.

It further instructs that the civil society organizations should also not be allowed to open any camps to provide food and shelter to the fleeing refugees.

In the case of grievous injuries, it said, medical attention may be provided "on humanitarian considerations."

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People trying to enter or seek refuge must be "politely turned away," it further stated.

It further added that Aadhar enrolment should be stopped immediately and Aadhar enrolment kits should be taken into safe custody.

The government has asked the respective district administrations to submit a "report on action taken" by March 30 next.

Earlier, the Union Home Ministry cautioned Northeastern states bordering Myanmar against influx from the neighbouring country in view of the largescale protests following a coup there and asked them to take appropriate actions as per law.

MHA deputy secretary has written a letter to chief secretaries of Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and DG Assam Rifles to stay alert in all kinds of situations.

The home ministry told the four Northeastern states--Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh to guard against the influx of civilians and government officials from Myanmar and urged them to take all precautions if they found anyone entering India or trying to sneak into the country.

Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, however, said it was the duty of his government to provide food and shelter to the Myanmarese, who fled their country to take refuge in the state, on humanitarian grounds.

“It is our responsibility as human beings to provide food and shelter on humanitarian ground to our human fellows (Myanmar nationals), who have taken refuge in our state in the wake of political turmoil following the military coup in their country,” he told a foreign news outlet.

Earlier, Zoramthanga had written to prime minister Narendra Modi to seek asylum for the deserted Myanmar nationals.

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