No food or shelter to Myanmar refugees: Manipur govt orders

According to the order, only medical assistance can be provided to such refugees in case of "grievous injuries" on "humanitarian consideration".

The order has been circulated to deputy commissioners of the Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts to take appropriate actions regarding the "illegal entry of Myanmarese nationals".

India has been expecting refugees from Myanmar after the neighbouring country's military opened fire on protesting civilians in nine regions on Friday.

At least 90 people including several children were killed in the fire.

As per the order, the Manipur government said the district administrations or the civil society should not organise for camps to provide food and shelter to the refugees.

"People trying to enter/seek refuge should be politely turned away," read the order.

"Aadhar enrollment should be stopped immediately and Aadhar enrolment kits to be kept in safe custody," read the order in the backdrop of decades of tussle over illegal migration from Bangladesh.

However, the government's order drew a lot of criticism on social media, with many claiming that the same is inhuman and opposes the country's long-cherished tradition of hospitality.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the country's military seized power, announcing a one-year state of emergency and vowing to take action against alleged voter fraud during the Nov 8 general election, which was won by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party on Feb 1.

The military said it was committed to the democratic system and vowed to hold new and fair elections after the state of emergency ends.

However, the same triggered massive protest as agitators are demanding that democracy be returned in the country.