Mizzima
39 women and children Myanmar nationals were released from Imphal Jail in India’s Manipur State and returned to Myanmar on 2 May 2024, according to one of their family members.
“Upon their initial arrival, they stayed in the border town of Moreh [in India]. Following communication with relatives and families, they will proceed to return to their homes”, said the family member.
The group consisting of 35 women and four children crossed the India Myanmar Friendship Bridge from Moreh to Tamu where they were received by Myanmar junta police and junta general administration officers on 2 May.
The returned people had entered Manipur State without the correct legal documentation and were caught working illegally by the Indian authorities who arrested and sentenced them to prison.
An order issued by the Manipur Government’s Home Department mandated the return of 77 Myanmar nationals. They were transported by helicopter from the Imphal, the Manipur State capital, where they were imprisoned to Moreh on 11 March.
The 39 women and children were part of that group. The rest are still in Moreh waiting to be repatriated.
Currently, nearly 300 Myanmar nationals who did not posses the necessary residency documents are still imprisoned in Imphal Jail, according to the family member of one of the repatriated .
Though India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention it has still provided shelter on humanitarian grounds to Myanmar refugees fleeing violence.
