With rising violence and political unrest in Myanmar, Manipur has witnessed a surge in refugee influx, exacerbating existing tensions in the region. Security officials report a significant rise in the number of refugees, estimated to be over 200, seeking sanctuary in Manipur following recent clashes between the Myanmar military Junta and pro-democracy armed forces.
The clashes, centred around Walphabung village in Tamu district near the India-Myanmar border, have prompted panic among hundreds of Myanmar nationals, including women and children. Fleeing the turmoil, these individuals have sought refuge in the border town of Moreh, nearly 110 km south of Imphal, the capital city of Manipur.
Senior police and paramilitary officials confirm the ongoing immigration crisis, despite strengthened security measures along Manipur’s 400-kilometre border with Myanmar. The influx of refugees adds a new layer of complexity to the already simmering ethnic tensions between the Kuki-Zomi and Meitei communities, which have plagued the region since last year.
“This influx of refugees further strains resources and deepens tensions,” remarks a senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The issue is exacerbated by charges that illegal immigrants are fuelling instability in Manipur, necessitating a nuanced approach to addressing both the humanitarian crisis and underlying ethnic tensions, according to a top leader of a major political party.
Immediate action and coordinated efforts are deemed imperative to prevent further escalation and foster stability in the region, he adds.
Notably, this recent wave of refugees adds to the approximately 8,000 and 32,000 Myanmar nationals who had previously sought refuge in Manipur and Mizoram, respectively, following the military coup on February 1, 2021. While the Manipur government has been actively collecting biometric details of Myanmar nationals sheltered in the state, the Mizoram government has declined to comply with the Union Home Ministry’s recommendation to do the same.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, also holding the home portfolio, has reiterated concerns about the involvement of some immigrants from Myanmar in illicit activities such as poppy cultivation and drug peddling in Manipur.
