Myanmar Illegal Influx: MHA Cautions 4 NE States

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday asked four northeastern states- Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh- asking them to take appropriate action as per law to prevent a possible influx of people from Myanmar into India.

The state governments have written a letter to the states asking them to take appropriate action as per law to check illegal influx from Myanmar into India.

According to the letter, the Ministry asked security forces to stay alert and take proper action. "As you are aware, there is a probability of large-scale illegal influx into Indian territory through India-Myanmar Border (IMB) due to the current internal situation in Myanmar. In this regard, MHA has already issued an advisory dated February 25 to Chief Secretaries of Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh and also to Border Guarding Force (BGF) along the IMB, and Assam Rifles to stay alert and take appropriate action to prevent a possible influx into Indian territory," MHA said in the letter.

MHA added that it has been reported that illegal influx from Myanmar has started and agencies have been asked to identify migrants and initiate the deportation processes without delay.

Home Ministry reiterated that state governments and Union Territory (UT) administrations have no power to grant "refugee" status to any foreigner as India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 and its 1967 Protocol.

"In view of above, you are requested to take appropriate action as per law to check illegal influx from Myanmar into India," read the letter. (ANI)