Imphal, Manipur, August 2 (HBTV): Approximately 10,675 illegal immigrants were detected in Manipur during the past five years, said the Chief Minister N Biren Singh during sixth session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on query move by Member of Legislative Aseembly Surjakumar Okram on Friday.    

The illegal immigrants are originally from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Norway, China, and Nepal. Out of the total 10,675 illegal immigrants, 85 were deported during the past five years, he said. 143 illegal immigrants are said to be in detention centres.     

Approximately INR 85,55,761 was incurred to maintain the detainees. District wise, there are 11 illegal immigrants in Imphal West; one each at Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Thoubal; six at Kakching; 150 at Churachandpur; 1,895 at Chandel; 2,406 at Tengnoupal; three at Ukhrul; two at Kangpokpi, and 6,199 at Kamjong.

To check influx of illegal immigrants, a committee has been constituted to conduct verification drive for identification in Churachandpur, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, and Pherzawl district, under supervision of Home department by an order dated March 24, 2023.

Before the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur broke out, the committee had reportedly detected 2,480 illegal immigrants from Myanmar.   

The central government has announced that the Indo-Myanmar border would be fenced completely. Border fencing work has already started and given importance, Biren said. A total length of 9.214 km of border fencing between border pillar-79 to pillar-81 has been completed, the updates said.