• Over 700 Myanmar nationals enter Manipur illegally in 2 days, govt seeks reply from Assam Rifles

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    Over 700 Myanmar nationals enter Manipur illegally in 2 days, govt seeks reply from Assam Rifles
    The remark takes on significance when it questions the Assam Rifles on how, while under its supervision, over 700 citizens of Myanmar entered India...
     
    Digital Desk: The Manipur government has asked Assam Rifles to provide a report on how at least 718 citizens of Myanmar "were allowed to enter India" without "proper travel documents" in just two days, on July 22 and 23, according to a statement released by the Home Department late on Monday.
    The remark takes on significance when it questions the Assam Rifles on how, while under its supervision, over 700 citizens of Myanmar entered India in just two days, amid the tensions prevailing in Manipur as a result of the over two-month-long ethnic conflict between the valley-majority Meiteis and the hill-majority Kuki tribe.

    People with direct knowledge of the situation anonymously expressed concern that the state government may not be able to determine whether weapons and ammunition were transported to India with the most recent group of Myanmar citizens.

    The Manipur Home Department released a statement on Monday stating information from the Headquarters 28 Sector Assam Rifles that 718 new refugees had entered Manipur through the Chandel district on July 23 due to ongoing clashes in Khampat.

    In a statement signed by Manipur Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, the Manipur government claimed that it had clearly instructed the Assam Rifles, the border-guarding force, to take strict action to prevent entry of Myanmar nationals to Manipur on any grounds without a valid visa or travel documents.

    "The state government views the fresh illegal entry of 718 refugees very seriously with utmost sensitivity as the same may have international ramifications more particularly in view of the ongoing law and order issues," the government stated in the statement.

    The Manipur government said it "sought a detailed report from the Assam Rifles authority to clarify on the facts and compelling circumstances/reasons, as to why and how these 718 Myanmar nationals were allowed to enter into India in Chandel district without proper travel documents; along with strict advice to push back those 718 illegal Myanmar nationals immediately."

    The government directed the Chandel district deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police orders to investigate the situation and to hold the Myanmar nationals' biometric records and photos.