Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced on Monday that 29 individuals, suspected to be from Bangladesh, were arrested in Imphal West district after they were found in possession of Aadhaar cards issued in Assam.
The arrests were made after police acted on a tip-off and apprehended the suspects, who were working in a bakery in the Mayang Imphal Bengoon area. Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Singh stated, "They possessed Aadhaar cards issued in Assam and were arrested on the basis of suspicion. They violated norms of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) of the Manipur government."
Singh further explained that the individuals' documents indicated they were from Assam, and the 29 suspects would be handed over to Assam authorities on Tuesday.
In connection with the case, a revenue department official who had issued ILPs to the suspects was suspended. The Chief Minister raised concerns over the integrity of the system, saying, "The Centre has allowed ILP in Manipur for the protection of the people of the state. What will happen if those involved in implementing it are engaged in such corrupted practices?"
Singh also expressed his suspicions regarding illegal immigration from Bangladesh into Manipur. "We suspect there might be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in Manipur," he added.
In a separate issue, the Chief Minister addressed queries regarding the disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who went missing from an army camp at Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district. Singh confirmed that security forces were actively searching for him, saying, "Security forces are searching for him. Yesterday, helicopters were used by the army to look for him. Teams have been sent to search for him, but no information about his whereabouts has been received yet."
(Inputs from PTI)