Manipur: Fresh influx of Myanmar refugees reported, MHRC visits relief camps

IMPHAL: A fresh influx of Myanmar refugees was recorded when a team of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) visited and inspected the relief camps in Manipur's Kangjong district sharing borders with Myanmar on the east.

A total of 37 Myanmar Nationals including women and children from Aung Zeya village of Myanmar who trespassed into Manipur on Thursday were reported to the Chairperson of MHRC Justice UB Saha (retired) who visited refugee camps at Kamjong district on Saturday, official sources said on Sunday.

During the visit, Justice Saha inspected the conditions of the refugees and camps temporarily set up at Sangalok (Kheroram) and Phaikoh in Kamjong Sub-Division where more than 2000 Myanmar refugees mostly Chin-Kuki are taking shelter. The district authorities informed the commission team that that there are around 900 refugees, mostly Shan and Burmese taking refuge at Sangalok camp and around 1200 refugees mostly Chin-Kuki at Phaikoh camp.

While interacting with local police, village headmen/chiefs, and leaders of CSOs including representatives of Raizan Long and Raizan Traders Association, the chairperson was further enlightened that the fresh influx of 37 foreign nationals took place after district administration entered particulars of each refugee in a form prescribed issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, a temporary legal process.

Despite the government restricting the movement of the refugees by an order issued on March 6, 2024, in Kamjong district, local CSO leaders in the meeting with the chairperson voiced the need for economic avenues and pressed on the need for a trade centre in the area to boost livelihood means in the area.

Amid tight security, the Chairperson was accompanied by Under Secretary Md Zaiur Rahaman, ADC Kamjong HL Jain, SDC Kamjong along with Additional SP Kamjong, OC of Chassad Police Station and officials of 8 Battalion of Assam Rifles.

MLA Leishyeo Keishing said that around 5100 Myanmar nationals are taking shelter in different relief camps in the Kamjong district at present.