The Indigenous People's Forum Manipur (IPFM) informed that it had submitted a memorandum with a report to Chief Minister N Biren Singh about the outbreak of illegal migrants from Myanmar at Phaikoh, Nambisha, Choro, Ashang Khullen and Namlee villages of Kamjong district in 2023 but that it was ignored by the government.
"At that time, the government, particularly the CM, ignored the memorandum but over the last two or three days, the CM Biren pointed out about the increasing numbers of illegal migrants from Myanmar. It is very shocking and we want to know what further steps the government is planning", said Ashang Kasar, convenor of IPFM.
He was speaking during a press conference at the Manipur Press Club on Thursday. He said that not only the chief minister but Phungyar MLA has also woken up to the situation.
ALSO READ: ‘ICJ’s response on Manipur issue inaccurate’
The memorandum was submitted in December last year and it's been five months since but the government has been silent, he said, and questioned what step the government is planning.
The government should let the people know under what systems the illegal migrants are being kept, he asserted.
The IPFM further drew the attention of the chief minister to convene an emergency gathering of stakeholders, CSOs to seek resolution of the ongoing crisis.
Ashang Kasar said that due to the ongoing crisis which has completed a year, all the communities in the state have been affected and not just the two warring communities. It has severely disrupted agricultural activities, economic sectors, causing significant financial losses and inconveniences to the citizens of Manipur, he said.
ALSO READ: Manipur CM N Biren Singh raises immigrants issue yet again
"There is an urgent need for government intervention to address the escalating crisis before it spirals further out of control", said Ashang Kasar.
He further informed that the chief minister’s office has acknowledged the receipt of the IPFM’s representation and assured that necessary steps will be taken to address the situation.
However, no official statement has been released regarding the scheduling of the proposed emergency meeting at the time of reporting.
