Manipur police apprehended 23 Myanmar nationals from Kawnpui village in Churachandpur district on Thursday. Police said the Myanmar nationals were arrested during a special drive carried out for the identification of illegal immigrants at Kawnpui area around 11.30 am. The drive was led by two additional SPs, said the police, adding 10 women and seven children were among arrested. The immigrants are being temporarily shifted to the Sadbhavna Mandap, Khominthang, New Lamka, Churachandpur for some days till the detention centre planned at Singngat sub-division is completed. According to sources, 129 Myanmar nationals have been put in a detention camp in the district. Citing the frequent arrests of Myanmar nationals, the Manipur government is planning to set up a temporary shelter in three districts of Manipur, particularly Churachandpur, Tengnoupal and Chandel district. To oversee the operation, a cabinet sub-committee had been formed in the last week of March under the supervision of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Manipur Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip is the chairman of the sub-committee, while Water Resource Minister Awangbow Newmai and Education Minister Th Basanta Singh are the members.
