Two Myanmar nationals were arrested from Imphal West district on Sunday for staying in Manipur without legal documents. The duo was arrested during a search operation basing on intelligence report.
This was informed by the minister of Information and Public Relations, Dr. S Ranjan Singh, during a press conference held in Imphal on Sunday afternoon. Singh stated that the arrest was made at the house of one Angom Chinglen (34) of Phayeng Kharang Khunou village under Imphal West district around 9:40 am on March 9.
The duo has been identified as Limdai Mer alias Solomon Merr alias Thongkhosei Hangsong (33) of Layshi township under Naga self-administered zone in Sagaing region and his wife Veikhohat Hatnu (29).
Singh informed that two ‘forged Aadhar cards’ and two mobile handsets were recovered from their possession.
The house owner, Angom Chinglen of Phayeng village, was also arrested on charges of harbouring foreign citizens since March 6.
It was informed that Limdai has been staying in Nagaland since 2008 as per preliminary examination. He was stated to have undergone theology studies at Amazing Grace Theological Seminary in Seithekema for two years and another three years at Nagaland Theological College.
After working as theological teacher in Kiphire district in Nagaland for one year, he returned to Myanmar in May 2017 to work as pastor in Layshi township till 2019. From 2019 to 2020, he was working as a missionary in Yangon in Myanmar.
Limdai married to Veikhohat Hatnu of Homalin township in Hkamti district under Sagaing region in November 2022 at Yangon and entered India through Avakhong village in Kiphire district from Shera village in Sagaing region, during January this year, IPR minister said.
They have stayed at the house of one Zion Merr, who was said to be his grand uncle at Mimi village for a month. It was informed that Aadhar card of his wife, Veikhohat, was made during the stay.
“The two citizens were brought to Manipur from Dimapur to learn the bible with scholarship assistance from Ranchi based Berean Multiplying Movement (BMM) on February 9 this year, the minister said.
Stating that the government would leave no stone unturned to stop the illegal immigrants, he said, "Any illegal activities will not be tolerated. No one will be spared. This is a commitment by the government.”
Meanwhile, a case has been registered against the arrested persons under Foreigner Act and relevant sections of IPC and they were remanded in police custody till March 14, 2023.