Manipur alerts over NRC impact

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, July 30, 2018: Following the release of final draft of Assam’s National Register of Citizens which considered 2.89 crore out of 3.29 crore applied as citizens, Manipur government has intensified measures to intercept illegal migrants along Jiribam and Senapati districts bordering Assam and Nagaland respectively.

The Manipur Police department has taken up stringent security measures to meet the fall out of any law and order situation in Assam by deploying adequate security in the border districts especially in Jiribam and Senapati districts.

A source said the Jiribam district police have taken up Jiribam porous border sensitisation patrolling to intercept any illegal immigrant entering the state. Boat patrolling from Jirimukh to Kapakha, Latingkhal and Baiboni ghats has also been launched, added the source.

Further three boats are utilised to patrol in the Jiri and Barak rivers.

The Jiribam district being border with Assam is most vulnerable accordingly maximum forces are deployed to meet the situation effectively, said the source. The district police under the supervision of SP, Jiribam has deployed forces at vulnerable places like, Borobekra, Latingkhal, Kapakhal, Binsilu, Jirimukh, Bhaiboni, Chotobekra, Somapunji, Jakuradhor, Chaudhurikhal, Behuanveng, Kamarangha, Kalinagar, FCP etc.

In addition to the district Police of Jiribam, 25 personnel from 7th IRB (Indian Reserve Battalion), nine teams of police commandos, two coy of Manipur Rifles/IRB , two Coy of CRPP and 30 women police personnel has been deployed.
In addition, two sections of 5th Manipur Rifles have been deployed at Vangaichungpao Railway station to check illegal entry of foreigner.

In Senapati district, the district borders with Nagaland, but being one of the National Highway entry point at Mao, coming from Assam. The district police, Senapti took up security measures by deploying district police and CRPF and IRB personnel at the Mao.

Other district police and Para-military forces have been alerted, said the source.

Manipur government has been taking up various measures since the past to control influx of illegal migrants into the state.

Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has been pressing the state government to constitute a law to prevent illegal migrants from entering the state to save the indigenous people of Manipur.

Manipur government has been sensitive in the immigrant issue the security force has been active at state border gates at Mao which connects Dimapur, at Jiribam which connects Silchar and at Indo-Myanmar border town Moreh, said a government official.

Leader of the JCILPS student wing said the NRC draft finalisation in Assam will produce more than 40 lakh refugee. The step taken up by Assam government is welcoming for the indigenous people of Assam, he added.

However we fear that there is possibility of immigrants moving towards Manipur. The recently passed Manipur People’s Bill 2018 cannot help prevent influx as it has not been performed as an Act, said Manjit.

The state government must activate the security check posts along state border. JCILPS Student’s wing will also take up special measures to prevent illegal immigrants entering Manipur by forming a special task force, he added.