Mechanism to identify illegal immigrants to be launched soon — Manipur CM

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Oct. 17 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the government will soon launch a mechanism to trace foreigners including face recognition cameras and apps to regulate entry and exit.

Briefing media persons at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat here on October 17, Biren Singh said, “Today there is a threat looming large in our society, and we are seeking cooperation and support of the people.”

Ministers Govindas Konthoujam(Works), L Susindro Meitei(Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution), Th Basanta Kumar Singh(Education), Khashim Vashum(Transport), DGP Manipur P Doungel and other senior police officers were also present during the press briefing.

Appealing to the people of Manipur for their full support and cooperation in identifying immigrants who are staying illegally in the state by violating the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, he said an operation was launched to identify individuals who have entered the state and remained untraceable for a certain period of time.

Calling on the public to inform the police or district administration against any illegal immigrant, he said that with the setting up of the Population Commission in the State at the earliest, a house-to-house survey will be conducted soon and appealed to all against renting out rooms or selling land to illegal foreigners or immigrants.

Cautioning that legal action could be taken against any house owner found renting out or housing illegal foreigners, he said the government has also already announced 1961 as the base year for the ILP Act.

Stating that the government alone can never succeed without the support of the public, he said the success witnessed in the government’s ‘War on Drugs’ and ‘campaign against poppy plantation’ is because of the support and cooperation of the public.

‘Till Saturday, in the operation against ILP defaulters, the government has identified and arrested around 613 illegal violators and have been booked accordingly, of which some have been deported. The main worry is that most of these violators are from Bangladesh with some from Myanmar’, he added.

The ILP system was introduced in Manipur from January 1, 2020. Manipur is the fourth state after Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram where the ILP regime is applicable.