Imphal:

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said 29 suspected Bangladeshis having Aadhaar cards issued in Assam were detained in Imphal West district.

Acting on a tip-off, the police detained the suspected Bangladeshis employed in a bakery in Mayang Imphal Bengoon area on Monday, he said.

“They have 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,” he told reporters.

As the documents showed they were from Assam, the 29 people will be handed over to the Assam authorities on Tuesday, he said.

A revenue department official who issued them ILPs was also suspended, Mr Singh said.

“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?” he said.

“We suspect there might be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in Manipur,” he added.

On media queries about Laishram Kamalbabu Singh who went missing from an army camp at Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district, Mr Singh said, “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.”

Itanagar:

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday took steps to strengthen the existing Inner Line Permit (ILP) system that makes it mandatory for a non-Arunachalee person to obtain a permit to enter the state.

In a joint meeting with top government officials and leaders of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) in Itanagar, Mr Khandu emphasised the need to strengthen the ILP system to prevent illegal entry and prolonged stay of non-local migrants in the state.

“Our main objective is to protect our indigenous tribes from outside influx and we are committed to it,” he said.

While informing that the state government is internally preparing to strengthen the ILP system, Mr  Khandu said that it was necessary to take inputs from the state’s premier students’ organization.

AAPPSU, headed by its President Dozi Tana Tara, through a PowerPoint presentation explained in detail a survey conducted by the Union and ways and means to strengthen the present system.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)