Another 38 Myanmar immigrants have been deported to Myanmar from Manipur

IMPACT: With the deportation of 38 immigrants from Manipur to Myanmar on Thursday, a total of 77 illegal Myanmar migrants, including 55 women and five children, have been deported to their country since March 8, officials said.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said in a message on

He added: “A total of 77 illegal immigrants have been deported in the first phase. One Indian national was also brought back from Myanmar during the handover ceremony. The state government is continuing the identification of illegal immigrants and at the same time biometric data is also being recorded. Let’s keep our borders and our country safe.” A senior official said the first group of seven Myanmar nationals were deported on March 8 through the border town of Moreh in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district. Myanmar residents fled to Manipur after the military junta seized power in the neighboring country on February 1, 2021.

The Manipur Chief Minister had earlier said that although India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, the country has provided shelter and assistance to those fleeing the crisis in Myanmar on humanitarian grounds and with a systematic approach. Since the military took over Myanmar more than three years ago, more than 5,000 Myanmar residents, including women and children, have sought shelter in Manipur, while more than 32,000 people have sought shelter in Mizoram.

A majority of refugees in Mizoram live in relief camps and government buildings, while many are sheltered by their relatives. A large number of Myanmarese also live in rental properties.

In addition to civilians, several hundred Myanmar soldiers also fled to Mizoram in phases after their camps were captured by Myanmar’s armed pro-democracy ethnic groups, who stepped up their fight against the army in October last year. However, these soldiers have been deported to Myanmar in phases. (IANS)

Also read: Six Myanmar nationals under 16 detained with Indian and Myanmar currency (sentinelassam.com)