The Meitei (Meetei) Tribe Union (MMTU) has alleged that the Government of India has failed to adequately address the issue of illegal immigration into Manipur from Myanmar and other neighbouring countries, warning that continued inaction could have serious demographic, social and political consequences for the state.
In a statement issued by its Organisation Secretary, T. Parijat, the Union expressed concern over what it described as large-scale infiltration by illegal immigrants from Myanmar and asserted that the Centre’s approach towards the issue reflects a lack of seriousness in addressing the unique challenges faced by Manipur.
The Union acknowledged the Centre’s recent decision to constitute a High-Level Committee on Demographic Change and initiate measures to identify and deport illegal immigrants. However, it alleged that the focus of such initiatives has largely been confined to Bangladeshi immigrants, while the issue of illegal migration from Myanmar into Manipur has not received adequate attention.
According to the Union, demands for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur have remained unanswered despite growing concerns among indigenous communities over demographic changes in the state. It maintained that repeated calls for verification of citizenship records and identification of illegal immigrants have not been acted upon with the urgency the issue warrants.
Referring to the aftermath of the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union noted that the Centre issued a notification on May 19, 2026 directing states and Union Territories to identify and deport illegal immigrants and to establish task forces for the purpose. However, it questioned why similar measures have not been visibly implemented in Manipur, a state that shares an international border with Myanmar and has witnessed a significant influx of people in recent years.
The Union also expressed dissatisfaction over the exclusion of Manipur from a recent meeting convened by the Union Home Minister with chief ministers of states facing challenges related to illegal immigration. It noted that discussions were reportedly held with the chief ministers of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura, while Manipur, despite being directly affected by cross-border migration, was not included.
The statement further alleged that illegal immigrants from Myanmar have continued to receive various forms of protection and benefits while concerns raised by indigenous communities have remained unresolved. It claimed that political considerations and vote-bank politics have prevented authorities from taking decisive action on the issue.
The Union drew attention to resolutions adopted by the Manipur State Cabinet in 2018, 2019 and 2024 recommending the removal of the term “Any Kuki Tribes” from the Scheduled Tribe list of Manipur. According to the Union, despite repeated representations, no action has been taken by the Government of India on the matter.
It also criticised the continuation of the chieftainship system, abolished in 1976, alleging that its persistence has facilitated the expansion of settlements and the establishment of new villages in hill areas, thereby contributing to demographic changes.
The Union pointed out that the Manipur Legislative Assembly had passed resolutions in both 2022 and 2024 seeking implementation of the NRC before the conduct of the Census. However, it alleged that neither the state government nor the Centre has taken concrete steps to implement the resolutions. It also criticised the Manipur government for not issuing a white paper detailing the demographic impact of illegal immigration and the challenges arising from population changes in the state.
Describing illegal immigration as one of the most critical issues confronting Manipur, the Union alleged that large tracts of land in the hill districts have come under the occupation of immigrants from Myanmar, leading to significant demographic imbalance and increasing pressure on indigenous communities. It warned that the issue extends beyond questions of land ownership and directly affects the political, social and cultural future of the state.
The Meitei (Meetei) Tribe Union urged all indigenous communities of Manipur to unite in addressing what it termed a common challenge and reiterated its demand for the immediate implementation of the NRC before the next Census, comprehensive identification of illegal immigrants, and decisive intervention by both the state and central governments to safeguard the demographic and territorial integrity of Manipur.