Imphal, September 27: Even as UCM president K Langamba charged the politicians with encouraging the enrty of illegal migrants into Manipur to established a potential vote bank, Imphal West SP Clay Khongsai has stated that the police have been closely monitoring the influx of illegal migrants and there is the need to step up vigil at the border check posts.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Langamba said that the politicians of the State have been encouraging the illegal migrants coming to Manipur with an eye on vote bank.

Majority of the illegal migrants are labourers and they are indeed a big labour force.

There is a wide-spread ring of these illegal migrants, with even group for metal scraps collectors.

In order to facilitate their free movement from one place to another, permits are being signed and issued on blank papers, Langamba asserted.

To substantiate the charge, Langamba also produced a 'blank movement permit' allegedly issued by an Executive Engineer of Autonomous District Council, Churachandpur.

In order to tackle this issue, the State Government has not taken up any measures, he further charged.

As a result, there has been uninterrupted flow of illegal migrants from Jiribam and Mao side, Langamba said, while suggesting that the police personnel deployed at Jiribam and Mao should be more alert.

If they are really intended to do so, they can prevent influx of illegal migrants.

There is also the need to spread awareness among the people as it is in entirely hands of the people whether to extend job opportunities to these illegal migrants or not.

Manipuri people should stop being choosy about works and craze for white-coloured jobs, Langamba said.

In accordance to a report of the study conducted by UCM, the total number of illegal migrants influx to Manipur is put at 7,04,488.When contacted on the issue of illegal migrants in Manipur, SP of Imphal West Clay Khongsai said police have been closely monitoring influx of illegal migrants in the State.

Police have already taken up a case in connection with interception of 56 illegal foreigners by the volunteers of FREINDS recently and all of them have been send to the jail.

In order to verify the antecedents of these arrested foreigners, a message has also been send to the SP of Silchar, Khongsai informed.

The case registered on them, however, is as suspected foreigners, the SP clarified, adding that no response from the side of the SP Silchar has been received till date.

The people and the social organisations have also a major role to play in stopping influx of illegal migrants to Manipur, the SP observed.

Leaving aside the question of porous border, since the illegal migrants come passing through the border check posts, there is also the need to step up vigil at the check posts, the SP pointed out.

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