N Biren Singh
File image of Manipur CM N Biren Singh speaking at the Assembly Session. Image: Northeast Now

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said that as many as 79 Rohingyas have been arrested by the Manipur police so far on the charge of entering the State without travel documents.

Chief minister Biren said this in the Assembly replying to a question by Congress MLA K Ranjit.

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Twenty seven of the arrested Rohingyas are still serving prison terms under the Foreigners’ Act while others have been released, the chief minister further informed.

Elaborating on the matter, chief minister Biren said that the Rohingyas entered Manipur from Myanmar through Moreh town, and from other parts of the northeast states through Jiri town, according to reports.

He also said that the state police force has been instructed to tighten security and look out for Rohingyas trying to enter the State.

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He also said that the Manipur Government had approached the Central Government for implementing the National Register of Citizens in the State as in Assam.

This will help the police identify and arrest foreigners, he added.

The arrest of the Rohingyas began in 2012 when 32 Rohingyas were booked, while 36 foreigners were arrested in 2018.