Manipur very cautious about influx of refugees, says Chief Minister

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Saturday that the state government is very cautious about the influx of foreign refugees into the state.

Speaking to the media after attending the Vijay Diwas celebrations at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall in Imphal, the Chief Minister said, "We cannot take what is happening in Myanmar easily."

Stressing that efforts are underway in the areas of Kamjong and Ukhrul districts to collect the biometrics of the refugees under the concerned deputy commissioners, Singh said that security forces should also not neglect areas like Behiang, which shares the border with Myanmar, and should take it seriously, considering reports of aggressive fighting in the neighbouring country.

He expressed the need to open similar and proper camps with biometric and civil police teams in different border areas.

The state has started taking biometrics to record the number of refugees. As of Saturday, over 6,000 migrants have entered Manipur according to the recorded biometrics.

“We cannot deny humanitarian assistance to those fleeing their country due to the violence, and we are providing medicines and tents for them, but we need to identify them by collecting biometric data and provide temporary shelter. We are only asking them not to construct villages in the state,” Singh said.