By M.Devanand Sharma
Imphal (Manipur), Oct 30: A 52-year-old lady who was detained by Manipur police on Oct 23, from Khwairamband Keithel in Imphal turned out to be a hardcore cadre of an armed rebel group waging war against the Myanmar government in Chin state region.
The lady, identified as Mya Kyay Mon daughter of Htunt Nyuntt, was found loitering in a suspicious manner at Khwairamband Keithel area in broad daylight. Vendor Ladies of Khwairamband Ima Keithel said that the mysterious lady did not speak Manipuri and when they were trying to communicate with her, a team of Imphal City police came and took her and detained in custody as she showed a passport issued by the Norway government, which is expired and could not produce any valid visa for staying in Manipur.
She is now being kept at Foreigners Detention Centre, Sajiwa since Oct 25, pursuant to an order by the Home Department, Government of Manipur.
Sources said that a team of 20th Assam Rifles who were conducting routine checking at Khudengthabi Check post along Imphal-Moreh road found the lady – Mya Kyay Mon, travelling without any valid documents. Upon inspection of her passport and documents, it was determined that her passport expired on Feb 16, 2022, and her e-visa expired on May 21, 2020. How the lady, who happened to be a cadre of an armed militant group based in neighbouring country Myanmar managed to escape from the Assam Rifles.
As Manipur has been reeling under crisis, since May 3 this year after conflict started between Meitei and Kuki people backed by armed militants belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, who are engaging in Suspension of Operation with the Government of India. And people in the valley area of Manipur are staying alert most of the time as there are rumors of Kuki militants sending their army to attack the Meitei people. When the matter to find out how and why the lady (armed cadre of Myanmar militants) is doing in the crowded area of Imphal, it was found that the lady has been staying in Imphal and other areas including a Shelter Home run by an NGO, about three months back before the violence started in May.
It may be mentioned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had already stated while delivering a speech in parliament that illegal migrants are the reason for the violence in Manipur. Recently, quoting the Central security agencies, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had also stated that Myanmar and Bangladesh-based militants are involved in the violence burning Manipur.