Imphal: Leishiyo Keishing, a legislative member of the Manipur Assembly, has penned a letter to Chief Minister N Biren Singh, urging immediate action to deport the refugees back to their respective villages in Myanmar.
In his letter addressed to Chief Minister Biren Singh, Keishing underscored the influx of illegal immigrants into Manipur since November 2023 and expressed alarm at the refugee population, which has surpassed 5800 individuals. Notably, biometric data for 5173 persons has been captured under the supervision of the District Administration.
Citing numerous reasons necessitating their deportation, Keishing spoke on the alleged strain placed on local resources and the tensions within the affected communities. He highlighted instances of local residents being subjected to violence over disputes related to daily wages and domestic matters, exacerbating law enforcement challenges in the border areas. Keishing further lamented the inability of local customary laws to exert control over the refugees due to their adherence to foreign customs and beliefs.
The MLA raised concerns regarding the safety and security of local residents, citing incidents of killings and kidnappings allegedly perpetrated by immigrants who evade apprehension by crossing the border into Myanmar. Keishing urged Chief Minister Biren Singh to swiftly devise a plan to deport the refugees to their respective villages in Myanmar or identify alternative shelter arrangements under strict supervision.
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Emphasizing the importance of averting a repeat of past mistakes, Keishing cautioned against granting Indian citizenship to the refugees, citing historical precedents from 1968.
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