While the violent conflict due to the Kuki-Zomi militants’ attack against the Meiteis and the reprisals since May 3, 2023 is witnessing fewer killings in the last few weeks, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on Thursday, January 23, 2025 addressing media persons at a press conference in Imphal reiterated that Manipur has been facing illegal immigration issues not only from Myanmar but also from Bangladesh. He said that the State on its eastern side has been facing illegal infiltration problems from Myanmar, adding an alert is also being maintained in Manipur’s western as well as southern regions to block the illegal entry of people from the neighbouring country. Chief Minister Biren cautioned the indigenous peoples of the State to be alert to the problem of illegal immigration from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The Chief Minister made the caution in connection with the construction of Tamenglong-Mahur Road, which will connect Manipur’s Tamenglong district with Assam’s Dima Hasao district after completion. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the State is apprehensive of Bangladeshi people accessing this road to infiltrate in Manipur.
Notably, addressing the gathering at Apollo Ground, Tamenglong on January 22, 2025 for the inauguration of 24 projects which included PHC, PHSC, bailey suspension bridge (360 ft span) over Barak River on Tamenglong Tousem-Haflong road, District Early Intervention Centre at District Hospital Tamenglong, water supply schemes etc., Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren stated that Tamenglong will be the gateway of Manipur and the improved road connectivity is going to give a new standard of life. He also laid foundation stones of 18 different projects at a public function held at mini stadium, Apollo Ground, Tamenglong district headquarters, DIPR release said.
The Chief Minister mentioned that construction of Tamenglong-Mahur road (NH-137) is going on in full swing and once the road is completed, travelling to Assam will be much more convenient and there will be no need to pass through Nagaland to go to Guwahati, the connectivity between Manipur particularly Tamenglong and Assam will be easier and in lesser time.
“But we have to keep in mind that many illegal immigrants may enter Manipur through Tamenglong-Mahur road and this may give a serious threat to our indigenous people of Manipur. Let us make sure that our State does not become another Tripura where indigenous population is in great danger”, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister said that Manipur has an inter-state border (204 km) with Assam. He said that Assam, along with Tripura, has also been facing infiltration problems from Bangladesh.
Manipur shares a border with Myanmar but not with Bangladesh. It adjoins Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam.
Assam and Tripura share a 263 km and 856 km border with Bangladesh, respectively. Most parts of the international frontiers of the two states have been fenced off, but some areas still remain unfenced.
“If Assam could not detect the illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh, these migrants might enter into Manipur,” CM Biren told the media persons.
The Chief Minister said that besides the security forces, indigenous people also must be alerted about the illegal infiltration from across the border.
“There is a possibility of the immigrants entering Manipur if they escape detection in Assam,” Chief Minister Biren on January 23 told media persons in the State’s capital Imphal while citing the “Bangladeshi problem” being faced by Assam and Tripura since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government in the neighbouring country less than a year ago.
“On the front side, we are facing illegal migration of people from Myanmar. In the western and southern parts, we are facing the problem of Bangladeshi immigrants. I appeal to all indigenous people to be careful,” CM Biren reiterated.
Manipur is protected by the Inner Line Permit (ILP), which is an official travel document issued by the State Government to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into the State for a limited period.
One of the narratives of the ongoing violent conflict is that poppy plantations and illegal migration of people from Myanmar are among the reasons behind the violence.
It may be mentioned that Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on May 12, 2024 said that a state Cabinet sub-committee had detected 2,480 illegal immigrants in 2023 but the campaign was cut short after violent conflict broke out on May 3, 2023.
Addressing a press conference on May 12, 2024, CM Biren said concerned with increasing deforestation and setting up of new villages by illegal immigrants, a Cabinet sub-committee was formed in February 2023 after a cabinet meeting attended by two ministers Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen who belong to Kuki-Zomi tribes. Letpao Haokip was made the head of the sub-committee to identify illegal immigrants.
“Biometrics were taken in ten villages of Chandel during which 1,165 illegal immigrants were found, 1,147 illegal immigrants were found in 13 villages of Tengnoupal district, 154 illegal immigrants in Churachandpur and rest were found in Kamjong district,” the Chief Minister said.
These figures are not inclusive of the additional 5,457 illegal immigrants who entered Kamjong district, CM Biren said, adding biometrics of 5,173 people have been taken while 329 have returned back voluntarily after situation improved in the neighbouring country.
“The detection of illegal immigrants was not limited to one community but was to cover the entire state of Manipur. They were found after visiting villages,” CM Biren said.
“The campaign for identifying illegal immigrants was, however, cut short just after a month it started and had to be stopped after violent conflict broke out on May 3 , 2023,” CM Biren added.
Furthermore, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on August 2, 2024 said that around 10,675 illegal immigrants have been detected in the state in the last five years.
This was stated by the Chief Minister during the sixth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in reply to query by opposition Congress MLA Surjakumar Okram. The origins of these illegal immigrants are in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Norway, China and Nepal, CM Biren said.
Out of the total 10,675 illegal immigrants, 85 were deported in the last five years and at present 143 illegal immigrants have been kept in detention centres as well, he added.
As per the information provided, district wise, illegal immigrants are distributed at Imphal West – 11, Imphal East – 1, Bishnupur – 1, Thoubal – 1, Kakching – 6, Churachandpur – 150, Chandel – 1,895, Tengnoupal – 2,406, Ukhrul – 3, Kangpokpi – 2 and Kamjong – 6,199.
The Chief Minister also informed the House that to check the influx, a committee has been constituted to conduct a verification drive for identification of illegal immigrants in Churachandpur, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong and Pherzawl districts, under the supervision of Home department, Government of Manipur order of March 24, 2023.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
