Manipur police in India has increased vigilance along the state’s border with Myanmar, fearing a possible influx of Rohingyas into the state.
The Northeast Indian state of Manipur shares a 364-km border with Myanmar. Five districts of the state- Ukhrul, Kamjong, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Churachandpur- share borders with the neighbouring country.
Sources at Manipur Police headquarters said that the superintendents of police of the border districts had been alerted of the increased security measures, and were asked to impose strict vigilance to check the influx of displaced Rohingya Muslims into Manipur. Police teams, led by their respective sub-divisional police officers and officers-in-charge of police stations have been patrolling the border around the clock.
“There is a need to be alert to the entry of Myanmar nationals, especially into Moreh,” sources added.
Moreh is a town which is located on the India-Myanmar border in the state’s Tengnoupal district. It is a trade point on the India-Myanmar border.
S Ibomcha, Superintendent of Tengnoupal police, said that patrols by police and paramilitary forces had been intensified.
On September 9, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that security had been beefed up along the Manipur-Myanmar border to check the possible influx of the displaced Rohingyas.
“The international border with Myanmar is porous and all steps have been taken to check any attempt to sneak into Manipur,” said the Manipur Chief Minister.
In 1988, during a crackdown by the military junta on pro-democracy movement supporters, hundreds of Myanmar nationals entered Manipur mostly through Moreh. They were sheltered at Manipur rifles camp in the state’s Chandel district with UN refugee status. Subsequently, they returned to their country.
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