Manipur to set up shelter home for Myanmar refugees

To accommodate those who fled the strife-torn Myanmar, the Manipur government is considering setting up a temporary shelter home in the border town of Moreh.

The shelter will accommodate 5,000 immigrants. A ministerial team comprising three state ministers -- Letpao Haokip, Awangbow Newmai and Th Basanta Singh - had on Monday visited Moreh along the Myanmar border to study the area where the shelter home is expected to be set up. They also interacted with the Myanmarese immigrants.

An official said that the Myanmar nationals would be given temporary shelter in the shelter home and would be deported to their country soon after the situation in Myanmar normalises.


Among the refugees, Myanmar MP Thangsel Haokip, who is also taking shelter in Manipur, reportedly informed the ministerial team that they would like to take shelter in the Indian territory as fighting is going on in Myanmar.

Following intensified clashes between Myanmar Army and People's Defence Force in Myanmar, the Manipur government has deployed additional security forces and asked the Assam Rifles to maintain strict vigil along the international border.

A senior officer in the state government who does not want to be named told ET:, “There are no reports of cross over from Myanmar side. However security has been tightened along the international border. Round-the-clock foot patrolling has been intensified along the international border. Additional forces comprising Manipur Rifles, police and other security personnel have also been deployed”.

Myanmar's Tatmadaw (military) have often engaged in armed clashes with the civilian forces since February 2021 after the military junta seized power in the neighbouring country.

Manipur has around 400 km of unfenced border with Myanmar. Chief minister N Biren Singh recently said more outposts would be set up along the India-Myanmar border to check illegal immigration, smuggling activities, and cross border crime.

Five districts in Manipur share an unfenced and porous border with Myanmar. The Manipur government is advocating that the free movement regime with Myanmar needs to be reviewed.

Manipur is facing an influx from Myanmar following the military Junta taking over power there.