The Meitei (Meetei) Tribe Union (MMTU) has questioned the effectiveness of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Manipur, alleging that non-locals continue to settle in the state despite the system introduced in 2019.
In a statement, the MMTU cited the alleged issuance of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates and Job Cards to 76 non-local individuals in Chandel district and demanded an inquiry into the matter.
The organisation alleged that some SDO and SDC offices have facilitated the issuance of Birth Certificates and Residential Certificates to non-locals, which it claimed were subsequently used to obtain Aadhaar cards and enrolment in electoral rolls.
The MMTU also questioned the status of the large number of non-locals who entered Manipur after the implementation of ILP in 2019. It claimed that around 10 lakh ILP passes had been issued since then and asked how many permit holders had left the state and how many remained. It also questioned whether ILP permits were being renewed as required.
The organisation alleged that many ILP entrants had subsequently settled around district headquarters, sub-divisional centres and commercial markets across the state.
The MMTU further expressed concern over the alleged settlement of foreign nationals from Myanmar and Bangladesh, accusing sections of political leaders and government officials of facilitating their settlement and documentation.
It alleged that such practices had enabled outsiders to obtain official documents and electoral registration, creating concerns over Manipur’s demographic composition.
The MMTU also questioned the government’s position on the demand for ST status for the Meitei/Meetei community, while alleging that foreign nationals cannot legally be included in India’s ST list.
It urged the government to investigate the issuance of ST certificates, Job Cards, Birth Certificates, Residential Certificates and voter registrations to non-locals and take action against officials found responsible for any illegal or irregular documentation.
