The cabinet sub-committee set up by the Manipur government to look after the rehabilitation of Myanmar nationals on Wednesday visited Gamphajong village, Chandel district for setting up another temporary shelter home for the refugees in the state.
The cabinet sub-committee inspected the village and announced that another temporary shelter home will be set up at Gamphajong village in Chandel district bordering Myanmar to accommodate immigrants who fled from conflict-torn Myanmar.
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During the visit, cabinet sub-committee chairman Letpao Haokip made a strong statement that Myanmar nationals not staying in shelter homes and without proper identity will be arrested.
“Those who stay in shelter homes will be given protection by the police, the army and the village authority and will be allowed free movement,” said Letpao.
The chairman warned that anyone found giving shelter to Myanmar nationals or found staying illegally will face the law. They are here temporarily and they have to return, he said.
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Not a single person will be allowed to stay back and they should not mingle with locals, said member of the cabinet sub-committee, minister Basanta.
Identity cards will be issued, and there will be biometrics installed to prevent them from mixing with locals, he said. The Myanmar nationals are advised to follow rules and regulations, he added.
Proposed detention centers will be guarded by the state police, Assam Rifles and they would be properly fenced, Th Basanta said.
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“A special drive for verification and checking of illegal immigrants is being taken up by the government and the same exercise is underway in the district. A detention home is being constructed on humanitarian grounds even though India has not signed the 1951 Refugee Status Convention or the 1967 Refugee Status Protocol,” he said.
The cabinet sub-committee highlighted that the state government is ready to extend all assistance to the Myanmar nationals who are seeking asylum.
The Cabinet sub-committee comprising Manipur Tribal Affairs and Hill Areas Minister, Letpao Haokip, Water Resources Minister, Awangbow Newmai, and Law Minister Th Basanta Singh visited the border village and studied the area where the shelter home is to be set up.
