Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh disclosed on Friday that more than 10,000 illegal immigrants have been identified in the state over the past five years. Addressing the Assembly during the ongoing budget session, Singh stated, “The Free Movement regime (FMR) has been kept under suspension by the state government since 29 June 2021, and the Union Home Ministry has recommended to the Ministry of External Affairs that the FMR be scrapped entirely. The government is in the process of establishing six new police stations and 34 police outposts in the border areas of the State.”
In response to a question posed by MLA Surjakumar Okram, the Chief Minister revealed that the 10,675 illegal immigrants originate from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Norway, China, and Nepal. He further noted that approximately 85 illegal immigrants had been deported, while around 143 are currently held in a detention centre. “The state government has incurred ₹ 85.55 lakh for the maintenance of detainees in the centre,” Singh added.
The topic of illegal immigration has gained heightened importance in Manipur following the outbreak of ethnic violence on 3 May last year. The clashes, involving the predominantly valley-based Meitei community and nearly two dozen tribes collectively known as Kukis, have resulted in over 220 deaths and the internal displacement of nearly 50,000 individuals. The Kukis, a term introduced during British colonial rule, are predominantly found in the hill areas of Manipur.
The Meitei community is advocating for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category, while the various tribes, who share ethnic ties with Myanmar’s Chin State and India’s Mizoram, are demanding a separate administration. They cite discrimination and an unequal distribution of resources and power as reasons for their demand.
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Additionally, there have been reports of the illegal entry of weapons and individuals from other countries into the state. In May this year, Chief Minister Singh expressed concerns about a demographic imbalance in Manipur due to an influx of illegal migrants from Myanmar. He described this situation as a significant threat to both national security and the indigenous population of the state.
The Chief Minister had previously mentioned that this influx had contributed to the creation of 996 new villages in Manipur since 2006. He pointed out that extensive deforestation had occurred to establish settlements and poppy plantations, leading to the encroachment on the resources, job opportunities, land, and rights of the indigenous people.
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