Amid the state facing issues on influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, illegal immigrants were found residing in Tengnoupal district of Manipur without the knowledge of the government.
The illegal immigrants’ houses were detected between border pillars number 82 and 89 in Tengnoupal district of Manipur; however, Assam Rifles were reportedly aware of the illegal activity.
Acting on information about the movement of illegal immigrants from neighboring Myanmar in some peripheral areas of the district, a team of volunteers (who wants to remain anonymous) inspected the Indo-Myanmar border area.
During the inspection, the volunteers found illegal houses constructed between the two border pillars. The volunteers also found a large number of houses occupied by illegal immigrants along the stretch from border pillar number 82 near N Satang village to border pillar number 89. The illegal immigrants were also seen moving freely along the border.
When the team of volunteers tried to persuade the immigrants, their efforts were ignored. The Indo-Myanmar border was sealed by Assam Rifles, who were aware of the situation. However, the state government has no record or information about the influx of illegal immigrants in the border area.
It has been reported earlier that due to the military coup in Myanmar, many Myanmarese have infiltrated the border area of India (Manipur). However, after identifying illegal immigrants, the state government deported over 60 Myanmarese to Myanmar in phases.
The volunteers reported that the houses were constructed by the illegal immigrants after cutting down hundreds of trees from the reserved forest. Despite the issue, no security forces were seen in the area.
The volunteers and its other sub-communities called on the Government to raise their concerns with the Central Government as soon as possible, to prevent tensions from escalating in the area and causing the indigenous people to suffer, as is happening in the valley districts of Manipur.
