The Meitei/Meetei Tribe Union (MMTU) has raised concerns over the alleged inaction of the Manipur Government in response to a directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, regarding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants entering the country from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
In a press statement issued by Mutum Churamani Meitei, Secretary Administration of MMTU, the organisation highlighted that the MHA had directed all States and Union Territories to take necessary steps to identify illegal immigrants between May 19 and June 19. Despite this directive, the union alleged that no visible action has been taken in Manipur so far. The statement urged the public to seek clarification from the State Government and demanded that a detailed white paper be published to inform the people about any measures that may have been taken.
The MMTU expressed its concern that the Central Government’s directive for large-scale identification of illegal immigrants has not been adequately implemented in Manipur. It alleged that while security forces and military personnel have been authorised to assist in the process, there has been little progress in the state. The Union criticised what it termed the Centre’s approach of treating Manipur as a “buffer zone” and claimed that suggestions had even been made to use the state as a shelter or “dharmasala” for immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The MMTU pointed out that following the same MHA directive, states such as Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have already initiated identification drives. In Assam, 330 illegal immigrants were reportedly identified and processed under the Immigration Expulsion Act, 1950. In Mizoram, authorities have begun biometric registration of Myanmar nationals, with the state’s Home Minister recently stating that 50% of crime and drug cases involved individuals from Myanmar.
Referring to the influx of Bangladeshis since the 1972 war and Myanmar nationals since the civil unrests of 1962, 1988 and 2021, the MMTU claimed that unchecked immigration has become a long-standing issue in Manipur. It further alleged that many immigrants have settled in remote and hill areas, and large portions of forest land have been cleared for poppy cultivation and narcotics production. According to intelligence reports cited by the union, over 50 hectares of forest have been encroached for poppy plantations, with some reports estimating the affected area to be around 760.58 sq. km.
The union alleged that the profits from such illicit activities have fueled narco-terrorism and contributed to organised efforts to settle more immigrants in the state. It also expressed concern over the alleged inclusion of these individuals in voter rolls and their possible addition to the Scheduled Tribe list, which could provide them legal standing.
Calling for strict implementation of the Foreigners Act, 1948, along with the Passport and Registration Acts, the MMTU questioned why Manipur has lagged behind other states in this regard. The statement asserted that a comprehensive biometric identification process must be undertaken immediately to distinguish genuine citizens from illegal immigrants.
The MMTU warned that if the government fails to act, it will initiate a state-wide mass campaign to bring the issue to the forefront. It also called upon the people of Manipur to support this movement in the interest of protecting the region’s identity, resources, and demographic integrity.