Local authorities in Singngat of Churachandpur district in the Indian state of Manipur are preparing to set up “shelter homes” for Myanmar refugees.

The facility will be established at the four barracks inside Singngat Police Station, and each building could accommodate 50 refugees, making for a total capacity of 200 at the centre, according a report by Imphal Free Press.

Chairman of Cabinet Sub-committee and Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip, who headed the inspection for the shelter homes, said to media that the government of Manipur will provide shelter homes for illegal Myanmar refugees at Singngat.

He also said that Manipur government will provide food, healthcare and accommodation to the Myanmar refugees at the detention centre, and ID cards will be issued in their names, according to the report.

He also assured that refugees will be deported back to their country after conditions in Myanmar improve.

The minister requested the refugees to report voluntarily and get temporary ID cards from the District Commissioner as the Manipur state government does not want to arrest them but to help them.

However, they will legally be prohibited from leaving the shelter, and their biometrics will be recorded, the report says.

Thousands of Myanmar refugees, including women and children, have fled across the border from conflict-hit Myanmar since the military took power in February 2021.