Influx of illegal immigrants endangers indigenous people and Manipur: CM Biren Singh

CM Biren Singh expressed concern about illegal infiltration and influx of foreigners in the state while launching online portal for ILP

Reported by Donald Sairem

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh today expressed concern about illegal infiltration and influx of foreigners and said that this was endangering the indigenous people and putting the state’s security at risk.

He alleged that foreigners, particularly from Myanmar and Bangladesh, entered Manipur with fake documents, Aadhaar cards, and other IDs.

Recently 85 illegal Myanmarese and around 7 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested, the CM said adding that necessary action has been taken. The Chief Minister was speaking during the launch of the online portal for issuance of ILP.

The Inner Line Permits will be issued through the portal by the respective DCs and labour commissioners, which will help avoid duplication and fake ILP documents, CM Biren Singh stated.

Non-native visitors can obtain the pass by downloading and paying online, making the process much easier. The permits will include a barcode and a QR code for easy identification and authentication.

Currently, labour permits are usually issued for one year while temporary permits are issued for 30 days and regular permits for 3 months.

The Chief Minister further said that more sophisticated features to monitor and track non-locals, such as vehicles equipped with facial recognition technology, are in the works.

Adding that Bangladeshi foreigners are difficult to identify because they claim to be from Assam and that Aadhaar cards cannot be used to identify them because fake Aadhaar cards are being used, the Chief Minister stated that he has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to station additional BSF troops in border areas.

The state government with the approval of Union Home Ministry has started construction of police outposts in the border areas. He believes that after construction, the state government will be able to effectively address the issue of illegal immigrants.

Responding to queries by the media, the Chief Minister said that the state government is monitoring the border influx and is able to detect more illegal Bangladeshi nationals settling in Manipur with the help and support of Assam police and the Assam government.

Copy edited by Lipika Roy

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