Manipur withdraws order to not allow Myanmar refugee camps on its soil
By Asianet Newsable English | First Published Mar 30, 2021, 9:11 AM ISTA circular, dated March 26, by the Manipur Home department had directed officials to "politely turn away" people trying to enter India or seek refuge.
Manipur's Bharatiya Janata Party government has withdrawn circular asking districts bordering Myanmar not to assist any refugees who had crossed over fearing persecution by Myanmarese forces.
The circular had instructed border districts to neither start any relief camps nor provide food and shelter to refugees.
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The circular, dated March 26, directs officials to "politely turn away" people trying to enter India or seek refuge.
Officials have been directed to submit a report today on the action taken so far based on the circular. But the Manipur government rolled back the circular after it received flak from various stakeholders.
Ironically, defending the circular, Union Home Ministry sources said that states are not authorised to accord refugee status to anyone entering from Myanmar.
India is neither a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 nor the 1967 Protocol.
Over 500 people have been killed in a brutal crackdown by the Myanmarese forces against protests seeking civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom.
On March 21 alone, over 90 people were shot dead in Myanmar even as the military marked the annual Armed Forces Day in the capital Naypyitaw.
When the international community has slammed the bloodshed in Myanmar, and the United States, United Kingdom and European Union have imposed sanctions, the presence of the Indian military attache in the Myanmar military celebration has raised eyebrows.
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