The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) has appealed to the Manipur government to take up the issue of inclusion of Manipuris staying in Assam in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) final list, with Dispur.
Though the date is not yet fixed, the final list of NRC is likely to be published in December.
AMSU information and publicity secretary Roshan Golmei in a statement said the students’ union asked what would happen to the Manipuris, who couldn’t make it to the NRC draft, which was published on Monday, even after residing in Assam for years.
The students’ union said Manipuris have been staying in Assam since the 16th century. “According to the history of Assam, Manipuris had good relationship with the Ahom Kingdom of Buranji. King of Kangleipak (Manipur) Chingthangkhomba’s daughter, Kuranganayani, was married to Ahom King. Since then, the Manipuris have been recognised in Assam,” he said.
“If the Assam government had followed the historical records, Manipuris should have been included in the draft. Excluding them as Assam citizens is a big mistake on the part of Dispur. The Manipur government should urge the Assam government to consider Manipuris as the people of Assam,” he added.
Heavy security arrangements have been made in the border districts, especially in Jiribam and Senapati, since the NRC draft was published, The Telegraph reported.
Boat patrolling from Jirimukh to Kapakha and Latingkhal to Baiboni ghats have been launched. Three boats are being used for patrolling Jiri and Barak rivers.
Jiribam district, which shares a boundary with Assam, is the most vulnerable area where maximum forces have been deployed.
State and central forces have been deployed at Borobekra, Latingkhal, Kapakhal, Binsilu, Jirimukh, Bhaiboni, Chotobekra, Somapunji, Jakuradhor, Chaudhurikhal, Behuanveng, Kamarangha and Kalinagar.
In Senapati district, elaborate security arrangements have been made on NH 2 at Mao gate, which connects Dimapur with Guwahati. So far, there has been no report of apprehension of illegal migrants, the newspaper reported.