'Can't Deport All At Once': Manipur CM N Biren Singh As First Batch Of Myanmar Nationals Deported

In a post on Friday, Singh announced, "First batch of Myanmar nationals who entered India illegally deported today," without specifying the exact numbers.

File Photo Of Manipur CM N Biren Singh

Source : PTI Images

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Saturday that the government cannot deport all Myanmar nationals at once as the "number is huge". Informing reporters on the deportation of Myanmar nationals, CM said, "The number is huge, so we cannot deport them altogether at one time. So part by part we are deporting, and there are some legal procedures that we have to follow. We are following them and will continue to deport them". 

Regarding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), he mentioned, "The decision has to be taken by the central government. Our Assembly has passed the resolution and recommended, but now the rest of the work is in the hands of the Union Ministry, so I will make the request, and I will follow it". 

#WATCH | On deporting Myanmar nationals, Manipur CM N Biren Singh says, "...The number is huge so we cannot deport them altogether at one time. So part by part we are deporting and there are some legal procedures that we have to follow, we are following them and are deporting… pic.twitter.com/g7eHrMhgKT

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024

On Friday, the Manipur government initiated the deportation of Myanmar nationals who had sought refuge due to the recent escalation in fighting between the junta and pro-democracy insurgents in the border region, according to Chief Minister N Biren Singh's statement on X, formerly Twitter.

In his post, Singh announced, "First batch of Myanmar nationals who entered India illegally deported today," without specifying the exact numbers.

"Although India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has given shelter and aid to those fleeing the crisis in Myanmar on humanitarian grounds with a systematic approach," Singh stated.

First batch of Myanmar nationals who entered India illegally deported today.

Although India is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has given shelter & aid to those fleeing the crisis in Myanmar on humanitarian grounds with a systematic approach. pic.twitter.com/zgte8RfmGl

— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) March 8, 2024

A significant number of civilians have crossed into ethnic violence-affected Manipur and neighbouring Mizoram, fleeing the conflict in Myanmar.

Singh shared a video showing Myanmar nationals, predominantly women and children, being sent away from the airport in the state capital Imphal.

This deportation follows a month after the Centre called for an immediate end to a free movement border agreement with Myanmar, allowing residents in border zones to enter their neighbouring nation's territory without a visa.

India is currently constructing a 1,643-km-long fence along the porous border with Myanmar, extending through remote jungles and snow-capped peaks towards Arunachal Pradesh.

The Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur and Mizoram share ethnic and familial ties with the Chin people in Myanmar. Many of the individuals fleeing to India from Myanmar have ethnic connections with the Kuki-Zo tribes.

The ongoing clashes between the hill-majority Kuki-Zo tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis have resulted in over 200 casualties since May last year. The conflicts arise from disagreements over land, resources, political representation, and affirmative action policies.

Parts of Myanmar near the border with India have witnessed frequent clashes since November, following an attack by Arakan Army insurgents on junta forces, ending a ceasefire in place since the 2021 military coup. Several soldiers fleeing Myanmar have sought refuge in India to escape the conflict.