Identify the refugees from Myanmar, says UKAL

    08-May-2021
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IMPHAL, May 8
Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL) urged the Government to identify the refugees of Myanmar and segregate them who may have been hiding in different areas of the State taking advantage of the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic in the State.
UKAL in a statement expressed that there is a high probability that the refugees from Myanmar might have been settling in many areas especially the hilly regions of the State without any restrictions.
It is high time to check the emerging small settlements in the neighbouring districts of the State with Myanmar namely Chandel and Churachandpur districts where many who have similar features with the natives of the State are roaming freely in these districts therefore the Government should take up special measures to identify such non locals who do not even know the native languages of the State.
The Government should take up special initiatives to check the settlement of non locals mainly in the hilly regions of the State and all those involved in illegal plantation of poppy by clearing the hilly slopes.
It is alarming that poppy plantations are being carried out on a large scale in the hilly regions whereas plantation of few marijuana plants in the valley are prohibited in the State which indicates clearly that the imposition of law and restrictions are in the valley region only while the hilly regions are exempted from such laws and restrictions.
UKAL also stated that if the influx of non natives are not checked and proper actions are not taken in time, it may lead to unwanted outcomes in future which may disrupt the harmony and peace among the different communities of the State.
Further UKAL appealed to the Government to identify the settlement of non natives in the State at the earliest with the help of the Central Government who might be refugees from Myanmar.