Manipur government to set up shelter camp for Myanmarese immigrants in Chandel district

The Manipur government has asked district authorities of Chandel district to set up a shelter camp at Gamphazol village for people fleeing strife-torn Myanmar. 

Tribal Affairs and Hill Development Minister Letpao Haokip, who visited Gamphazol village and interacted with more than 100 immigrants from Myanmar, told the officials "to set up a temporary shelter camp and construct a barbed fencing around the camp". 

Haokip was recently appointed as the head of the newly created Cabinet Sub-Committee under the instruction of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. 

Law minister Thounaojam Basanta Singh and Water Resources and Relief and Disaster Management Minister Awangbow Newmai are also members of the sub-committee. 

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Haokip later told the media, "construction of a temporary shelter camp has been initiated where the immigrants will be provided with food, medicines and other requirements." 

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district, Mayanglambam Rajkumar told PTI that "we are in the process of carrying out a verification of the immigrants. We expect somewhere around 400-600 immigrants from Myanmar seeking shelter in Chandel district but we cannot give the exact number as official works are in process." 

During the visit, the Law Minister also told the gathering comprising state officials, villagers and immigrants, "the idea of all of us coming together is that immigrants should have a safe place and should return...not one single person will be allowed to stay back...we will also announce to the village authorities that legal actions will be initiated against them if they harbour illegal immigrants." 

Earlier this week, the Tengnoupal district magistrate issued a notification that a special drive for verification and identification is being taken up in the district and that "illegal immigrants will not be arrested or detained" but will be extended all humanitarian assistance temporarily till they are being properly deported or any further decision as regards to them is taken up by the competent central or state government”. 

The Myanmar military took over the country in February 2021 following a coup. Manipur shares an international border of 390 km with Myanmar.