IT News
Imphal, Aug 6:
The ongoing session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly has resolved to form a house committee today to investigate illegal migrations in Manipur. Replying to a calling attention motion by MLA Leishiyo Keishing, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, also the leader of the house, emphasized his seriousness by calling upon the members of the house to form a committee irrespective of ruling or opposition. Leader of the opposition, Okram Ibobi, while welcoming the proposal of the leader of the house, suggested a discussion with the speaker for the formation of the committee.
Leishiyo Keishing, in a calling attention motion, raised concerns about the number provided by CM Biren Singh, which estimates over 10,000 illegal immigrants. Keishing suggested that this figure might be a rough estimate, noting that 6,199 illegal immigrants were detected in Kamjong alone. He questioned why the numbers in Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal—areas that also border the war zone in Myanmar—were significantly lower. He deemed the numbers unreliable.
Leishiyo Keishing pointed out that the exact number of immigrants cannot be ascertained, even though 6,199 were detected in camps in Kamjong through biometric registration. He highlighted the complications in calling these individuals refugees, as India is not a signatory to the refugee convention and lacks specific laws governing their status.
“These individuals go in and out, and now they are mixed with the local populations in villages as it is human nature to do so. Local workers, who usually earn 500 rupees daily, are accepting 200 rupees for various tasks, causing problems. All these indicate a lack of proper monitoring,” he added.
He highlighted that these immigrants are humans with rights and should be provided with proper shelter and basic amenities. However, he acknowledged that if the state cannot manage them properly, they should be deported. To protect them, appropriate laws need to be enacted.
Chief Minister Biren Singh, responding to the formation of a House Committee, noted that many MLAs are concerned about migration issues and the impacts of the Naga-Kuki clashes, as well as migration from both the north and south. He confirmed that only 10,000 illegal immigrants detected since 2021 are new arrivals.
CM Biren Singh stated, “A Cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Letpao Haokip with members Awangboi Newmai and Basanta Kumar, was formed to investigate the matter, with bureaucrats also involved. The Home Ministry has declared this a serious issue, leading to the initiation of biometric registrations. Initially, 2,480 individuals were detected. However, monitoring and controlling the immigrants, especially those settling in villages, remains difficult, as members faced resistance in certain areas.”
“The detected immigrants are currently housed in shelter homes in Shajiwa, based on humanitarian grounds, as there is no specific law addressing their situation. The long border poses a threat, and new villages have been settled even after May 3. The base year for identification is set at 1961, so anyone settling after that year should be identified. Each district, including one SDPO, has teams to conduct biometrics and provide shelter,” CM said.
CLP leader and former CM, O. Ibobi, also supported the formation of a House Committee, involving every community, to verify the numbers and obtain accurate figures. He urged the speaker to allow the motion and resolve in the house to adopt it.
Immediately, the house committee was adopted by the house. The nitty-gritty will be discussed in the chamber of the speaker, it was agreed on.
