Manipur govt to set up shelter home for Myanmar refugees in Moreh: Refugees promise to return once unrest ends in Myanmar

Taking swift action after taking cognizance of entry of Myanmar nationals to Manipur, 3 ministers of the N Biren Singh cabinet rushed to the Haolenphai village of Moreh sub-division in

In a first, the Manipur government has decided to set up a temporary shelter home for Myanmar nationals who are fleeing the conflict torn country.

This makes Manipur the second state after Mizoram to give shelther to the Myanmar nationals ‘on humanitarian grounds.’ The Manipur government has even decided to give shelter to the refugees till the unrest ends in Myanmar.

Taking swift action after taking cognizance of entry of Myanmar nationals to Manipur, 3 ministers of the N Biren Singh cabinet rushed to the Haolenphai village of Moreh sub-division in Tengnoupal district, to interact with the refugees taking shelter there. The ministerial delegation comprised of Tribal Affairs and Hills minister Letpao Haokip, Awangbow Newmai, IFCD Minister and Education minister Th Basanta Singh.

Tribal Affairs and hills minister Letpao Haokip while taking stock of the situation said, “The Manipur government has constituted one cabinet sub-committee to oversee and settle the Burma refugees. Here, at Haolenphai we are planning out how to construct the shelter home and accomodate them till the war ends (in Myanmar), after that they can be pushed back to their own country.”

Haokip maintained,”It is a temporary management, not permanent. GoI and GoM is soft on this part because they are human beings, their country is in war.”

Minister Letpao Haokip further added,”We are thankful to the chief of Haolenphai for donating such a big chunk of land for setting up the refugee camp. The government is also planning to provide food medical aid and even if possible school can be given but there is a policy matter, it will be too early to comment now. We will see what is to be done.”

Additional inputs suggested that a health centre at the camp will also be set up, while Manipur Police personnel will be deployed for security purposes. The government is also planning to go for proper identification using the Biometric system and identity card will be issued to each and every inmate at the temporary shelter home.

Meanwhile, a senior professor at the Myanmar University, Dr Meo is also among the many Myanmar nationals who have fled the country fearing threat to life. During an interaction with the Manipur government’s ministerial delegation, Dr Meo thanked the Indian Government for giving them shelter.

He said,”I was working in an university. Because of military coup, I have to stay here. So generally today I understand the Indian Government really consider us, we really thank You all for Your consideration and kind gesture. My understanding is that You (Indian Govt) will provide us shelter or camp and also other necessary things for our people, So thank You so much.”

The Professor also maintained that they will return back to their homes, once peace prevails once again in Myanmar. Dr Meo said,”We are not illegal migrants, we want to stay here temporary because of our threat to life, so after it (military coup) is finished we will definitely go back.”

Besides, as a leader representing the Myanmar nationals who have taken refuge at the Haolenphai village, Dr Meo assured,”We will stay here following Your Rules and Regulations, we understand these things. So, as a leader of refugee, I want to tell, we will also try our best to help our people co-operate with You and follow the policy of the Indian Government.”

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