Over 200 Meiteis return to India from Myanmar, Manipur CM thanks Indian Army.

Guwahati: In a significant move the Indian Army brought back 212 Indian citizens who had fled Manipur and taken shelter in Myanmar for the last three months in view of the ongoing ethnic violence  in the state.

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh thanked the Indian Army for bringing back the people safely. In a social media post the chief minister on Friday night  said, “Relief and gratitude as 212 fellow Indian citizens (all Meiteis) who sought safety across the Myanmar border post the May 3 unrest in Moreh town of Manipur, are now safely back on Indian soil.”

He said, “A big shout-out to the Indian Army for their dedication in bringing them home. Sincere gratitude to GOC Eastern Command, Lt Gen. RP Kalita, GOC 3 Corp, Lt Gen. HS Sahi and CO of 5 AR, Col. Rahul Jain for their unwavering service.”

The returnees were received by teams of the Indian Army led by commandants of the Assam Rifles and Gorkha Regiment at the border gates on Friday.

It is significant that after violence broke out on May 3, many residents of Moreh, ward number 4 Premnagar had fled to Myanmar after crossing the India-Myanmar international border and took shelter in the Tamu area in Myanmar’s Sagaing division. Since then, they have been staying in the neighbouring country.

Security sources said that the external affairs ministry was also in touch with its counterpart in Myanmar and had played a key role in facilitating shelter for the Indian citizens who had fled Manipur due to violence.  

Informing that the state administration has started consultation to start the process of rehabilitating the people taking shelter in various relief camps, security sources said that security forces more particularly Indian Army has started taking steps to restore harmony between the two communities by launching various programmes.