Manipur state police reportedly arrested 10 Myanmar nationals working at a handloom workshop in Vaal ward of Newlanka in Churachandpur District, India on 5 February.
“Manipur police stormed the handloom workshop last night and arrested about 10 people. No one dares to stay at home at the moment. They have fled to the forest to hide,” said a handloom weaver from Manipur.
Most of those arrested are from Monywa Township in Sagaing Region, who fled to the Indian state of Manipur because of the military and political unrest in Myanmar, where they earned their livelihood from handloom weaving.
There are about a few hundred handloom weavers from Myanmar in Newlanka, whom the state of Manipur has arrested frequently in the past.
Currently, about 100 Myanmar handloom weavers are detained in Manipur state prison.
On 27 January, the Manipur state government arrested more than 80 refugees from Myanmar who had sought refuge in Laiching and New Salbung villages in Moreh town.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh wrote on his social media that 10 illegal Myanmar nationals had been arrested and that he would take legal action against hosts who harbour illegal migrant workers.
He also urged the public to inform authorities if illegal migrant workers are found.
Sent by KMG.