IT News
Imphal, Mar 3:
The Meitei Resurgence Forum (MReF) has leveled serious allegations against the Indian National Congress, accusing it of working against national interests, particularly concerning the Meiteis and Manipur. These claims stem from what the forum describes as the Congress party’s historical support for illegal immigrants, which has reportedly led to significant unrest and violence in Manipur, primarily due to an influx of migrants from Myanmar.
According to the MReF, the Congress party’s backing of illegal migrants has been evident for decades, ignoring calls for the identification and deportation of foreign nationals, a demand that gained traction following protests led by the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) and the All Manipur Students’ Coordinating Committee (AMSCOC) in 1980.
The forum highlights the current reluctance of the Indian National Congress to support the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, citing public statements made by central leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. It alleges that illegal immigrants have been a significant vote bank for the Congress party, with over 1500 families of Kuki Refugees from Myanmar resettled in Manipur between 1967 and 1973, reportedly with voting rights.
Efforts to address illegal immigration, the MReF claims, have only gained momentum following the rise of BJP-led governments at both the central and state levels.
Examining the history of illegal immigration from Myanmar to Manipur post-independence, the forum notes a persistent trend, with various ethnic tribes seeking refuge in Manipur amidst civil unrest and persecution in Myanmar. These migrations, it asserts, have continued over the years, contributing to ethnic tensions in Manipur.
The recent walkout from the Manipur Legislative Assembly by Congress MLAs during discussions on updating the NRC is criticized by the MReF, which sees it as a failure to prioritize Manipur’s interests.
The forum urges the Indian National Congress to cease actions detrimental to the Meiteis and Manipur, emphasizing that the politicization of immigration issues poses a threat to national security and territorial integrity, alongside other challenges facing the Northeast region.
