Following the influx of residents from Manipur’s Jiribam into Assam’s Cachar district due to ethnic violence, Assam police have initiated a comprehensive survey to identify and monitor individuals from Jiribam taking shelter in the area. This move comes amidst efforts to maintain peace and prevent any spillover of violence across State borders.
Assam Law and Order Inspector General (IG) Prasanta Kumar Bhuiyan stressed on the need for residents from Manipur to refrain from engaging in any illegal activities while in Assam. Addressing locals in Lakhipur, Bhuiyan pointed towards Assam’s history of handling security challenges, particularly militancy, and warned of strict consequences for those involved in unlawful actions.
The survey to identify individuals from Jiribam began on Sunday, with an estimated 1,700 residents seeking refuge in Cachar district. This initiative aims to ensure that law and order are maintained along the inter-state boundary.
In a meeting with senior Assam Rifles officials deployed in Manipur, discussions centred on collaborative measures to uphold peace and security along the border. While acknowledging that the situation in Jiribam remains tense but under control, both police and Assam Rifles officials stressed the importance of community-level initiatives to address underlying tensions.
Cachar’s Deputy Commissioner Rohan Kumar Jha expressed the district’s stance on providing temporary shelter to displaced individuals from Manipur while emphasising a zero-tolerance policy towards violence. He assured that once the situation stabilizes in Manipur, efforts will be made to facilitate the safe return of Jiribam residents to their homes.
Meanwhile, officials from Jiribam district highlighted ongoing efforts to quell violence and expressed gratitude to Assam for extending hospitality to displaced citizens for over a year. Discussions in the meeting focused on strategies to facilitate the eventual repatriation of residents to their home region once conditions permit.
To enhance border vigilance, new posts have been established along the 132-km boundary between Cachar district and Manipur, including riverine stretches, highlighting efforts to ensure comprehensive security measures in the region.
