Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday launched the Facial Recognition System (FRS) for Inner Line Permit (ILP) System. He also flagged off two camera mounted mobile FRS vehicles to strengthen detection of illegal immigrants in the state.
While speaking to media persons at the launching event, the chief minister called for giving utmost priority to the protection of Manipur and all the indigenous people. He said the FRS will help in effective checking of Inner Line Permit holders whose validity have expired at the ILP counters and in better management of the ILP System.
Biren informed that even during the trial period the system started identifying defaulters of the ILPS. It is to facilitate entry and exit of ILP pass holders and to identify ILP defaulters in the state, he added.
Considering the need to implement use of modern technology in the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the state, the government, after seeking approval from the Union Home Ministry, engaged a reputed international firm for the installation of the FRS, he said.
“FRS system has been installed at various places including at the Imphal Airport, Jiribam, and efforts are on to install it at other places including Khongsang Railway Station, Moreh, etc.”, Biren said.
Four cameras each have been installed at the airport and Jiribam while cameras will be installed soon at other entry or exit places lik Mao and Khongsang, the CM said.
Meanwhile, two mobile vehicles will be stationed at different locations in Imphal East and West districts to identify ILP defaulters, he said, adding that in the long run, FRS will facilitate a smoother entry and exit system for permit applicants/ holders from the state.
The defaulter caught from Khwairamband Keithel and airport has been handed over to the police.
The CM also informed that illegal immigrants who have entered the state without valid proof and documents from Myanmar are approximately 410 and have been arrested.
“The government has been giving serious focus and thrust to check illegal immigrants”, Biren said, adding that the committee set up to check illegal immigrants has identified more than 2500 numbers of Myanmar nationals who have entered the state due to the conflict in their country and are being kept in shelter homes.
“There is serious concern over the issue of illegal immigrants”, said Biren, stating that Manipur shares around 398 km porous border with Myanmar.
However, despite cancelling the Free Movement Regime, which allowed travel upto 16 km on both sides, we are still unable to effectively deal with the illegal immigrant issue, he said.
He appealed to the people of Manipur, especially those living in the border districts, to cooperate with the government in the larger interest of India’s and Manipur’s security, and help in identifying the illegal immigrants so that the government may put them into proper shelter homes.
ILP was implemented in the state with the approval of the Central government to give a layer of protection to the local population, he said, further adding that the government will not compromise on its implementation.
“Law and order are an internal matter and state subject and outsiders should refrain from meddling in such issues” the chief minister said, adding that the government cannot stop conducting ILP checking of individuals coming from outside the state.
Stating that five of the seven Myanmarese arrested recently from the airport had identity documents from Mizoram, the CM reacted strongly to some CSOs from Manipur supporting a statement of a group of Meitei staying at Mizoram who objected to the ILPS checking while entering Manipur. It may divert to communal issues and it should stop, he said, adding that ILPS is to save indigenous people.
Taking advantage of the event, the chief minister appreciated all the CSOs, village chiefs, villagers, Church leaders who have come out unitedly against poppy plantation and said that total eradication of illegal drugs and poppy plantation from the state is a commitment of the government and working to achieve this with a conviction.
He said on April 30, two persons were arrested along with 16 kg of opium and Kenbo bike from Singhat area in Churachandpur, and that a drug kingpin has also been arrested recently.
Following reports of a recent seizure of illegal drugs at Assam from Manipur, a special team of the NAB had investigated the case resulting in the arrest of a kingpin identified as Chandan Gupta at present residing at Maram Bazar, Senapati.
During investigation, he disclosed that he had sold 562 numbers of soap cases of illegal drugs in Dimapur and Guwahati. Further investigation of his bank accounts has shown transactions of about Rs. 1 crore.
Further from his revelation, two of his accomplices, identified as Deepak Kumar Jaiswal from UP and presently staying at Maram Bazar and K Athini, Senapati district, were arrested.
The launching event was attended by minister Thongam Biswajit Singh; minister Yumnam Khemchand; minister Konthoujam Govindas; minister Sapam Ranjan Singh; minister Heikham Dingo Singh and MLA Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh; DGP P Doungel, among others.
