Imphal: The Manipur government has issued an order barring local authorities and the civil society from offering food and shelter to refugees from Myanmar.
According to the order, only medical attention can be provided in case of “grievous injuries” on “humanitarian consideration”.
The order has been issued to deputy commissioners of the Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts to take appropriate actions regarding the “illegal entry of Myanmarese nationals”.
Myanmar’s Ambassador to the United Nations has appealed to the Indian government and various state governments to provide shelter to refugees given the humanitarian crisis in his country, saying the two countries “have a long history, let’s never forget that”.
According to the order issued the same day, the Manipur government said the district administrations or the civil society should not open camps to provide food and shelter to the refugees.
“People trying to enter/seek refuge should be politely turned away,” read the order.
“Aadhar enrollment should be stopped immediately and Aadhar enrolment kits to be kept in safe custody,” added the order in the backdrop of decades of tussle over illegal migration from Bangladesh.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the generals ousted and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering mass protests demanding a return to democracy.
