Manipur starts collecting biometrics of ‘illegal’ immigrants

A total of 104 inmates including 24 men, 74 women, and six minors are currently lodged at the detention centre. All of these immigrants are from Myanmar and they crossed over to Indian territory in the past two years.

The biometric data-capturing process for Myanmar nationals has begun at the foreigner detention centre located near Sajiwa jail in the Imphal East district. (File)

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The Manipur government on Saturday started the process for collecting biometric data of “illegal” immigrants in the state following instructions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Four officials of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) arrived in Imphal to assist with the exercise. The officials will be in Imphal for three days, during which they will guide and give training to state officials.

The exercise began with the recording of biometric data of Myanmar nationals at the foreigner detention centre located near Sajiwa jail in Imphal East district.

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As many as 104 inmates, including 24 men, 74 women, and six minors are lodged at the detention centre. They crossed over into Indian territory in the past couple of years.

Also Read | The ‘free movement regime’ along the India-Myanmar border, and why it has complicated the volatile situation in Manipur

Peter Salam, joint secretary of the state’s Home department, said all district authorities have also been instructed to identify illegal immigrants in their respective districts.

The biometric data-capturing exercise comes after a joint meeting was held in New Delhi comprising officials of the MHA as well as representatives from Manipur and Mizoram in April. The MHA has asked the state to complete the exercise by September 30, he said.

Subsequently, the state formed a Cabinet sub-committee for the identification of illegal immigrants. More than 2,500 such immigrants have been identified, the joint secretary said, adding that Chandel had the highest number – around 1,050.

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“Once the process is completed, it will be uploaded on the foreigners’ identification portal of the MHA and the link will be forwarded to ECI. This will prevent the illegal immigrants from acquiring Aadhaar, voter ID cards, and claiming benefits, among others,” said Salam.

Regarding the entry of 718 Myanmar immigrants to the state recently, Salam said that around 550 of them were pushed back by security forces. They crossed over between July 22 and 23, he added.

“The Myanmar nationals crossed over following fresh tension in their country. We have identified their locations and once the situation is conducive, they will all be sent back to their country,” Salam said.