Manipur appoints 10 Nodal officers to check the influx of illegal migrants

Imphal: In view of the increasing influx of illegal Myanmar migrants in the state, various challenges posed by the illegal migrants, and the need to regularly monitor and check the influx of illegal migrants, the Government of Manipur has appointed ten nodal officers (five from civil and five from police) in five districts bordering Myanmar to take actions to check and monitor the influx of illegal migrants in their respective districts.

These steps are being taken up in five districts — Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Chandel, and Churachandpur — bordering Myanmar to keep vigil on the influx of illegal migrants, to identify any new settlements and capture biometrics to upload on the MHA portal.

This was stated by Peter Salam Joint Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur in an order issued (in the name of governor) on Saturday.

Manipur with a 398 km sharing border with Myanmar has 16 districts of which 6 districts share with Myanmar.

Reports stated that over 12, 000 illegal Myanmar nationals are staying in Manipur.

The order states that the Nodal Officers will identify new settlements, identify illegal migrants in the new settlements and other suspected locations, capture biometrics of the illegal migrants, upload biometric details in the foreigners’ identification portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and submit a weekly report to the Government along with photographs and videos.

The Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the above-mentioned five districts will provide necessary assistance to the nodal officers in terms of manpower and logistics for the proper discharge of their duties.

Nodal officers of the remaining border district Pherzawl will be appointed in due course.

The Nodal Officers will identify new settlements identify illegal migrants in the new settlements and other suspected locations, capture biometrics of the illegal migrants, upload biometric details in the foreigners' identification portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and submit weekly reports to the Government along with photographs and videos.