Why 200-odd Myanmarese refugees are languishing in Indian jails after serving their prison terms
Manipur prison officials told Scroll they are waiting for a go-ahead from the Centre.
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Ko Zaw’s uncle has been in a jail in Manipur after he entered India illegally looking for a job. “There are no stable employment opportunities in Myanmar, so he sought a better life here,” Zaw said.
Originally from the Sagaing region of Myanmar, the 45-year-old was arrested by Manipur police during a drive in 2021 to check for illegal immigrants from across the border. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment under the Foreigners’ Act.
Three years after his jail term ended, he is still in prison.
“We kindly request the Indian government to release my uncle, as he has already completed his jail term,” said Zaw. “All his family members live in rural areas, particularly in conflict zones.”
Ko Zaw’s uncle is not alone. About 200 Myanmar refugees are currently in detention centres in Manipur and Assam, despite having completed their jail terms and paid fines for their release, activists, family members and lawyers representing them told Scroll. They want to return to Myanmar or wish to be shifted to Mizoram, which hosts a large community of Kuki-Zos from the Chin state.
According to prison officials in Assam and Manipur, 27 Myanmar nationals, including a newborn, are detained at the foreigners’ detention centre in Guwahati – and 209 Myanmar nationals,...
