The issue of illegal immigrants has been plaguing India’s Northeast for decades. Since the merger of Manipur to Dominion India on October 15, 1949 and became a Part C State of India Illegal immigrants have their heaven in Manipur with the abolition of the Entry and Exit Permit System in Manipur on November 18, 1950, by the then Chief Commissioner of Manipur, Himmat Singh appointed and sent by New Delhi to rule Manipur as if a Chief Commissioner’s province.
The abolition of the Entry and Exit Permit System allowed free entry and unchecked influx of outsiders from all directions into Manipur. Prior to this, Manipur, as a former princely State, had a permit system in place to regulate entry. This abolition led to the free entry of outsiders and is cited as a contributing factor to the demographic changes and concerns about the protection of indigenous populations in Manipur.
Even the issue Illegal immigrants and demographic changes with indigenous peoples becoming minority in their own homeland are not unrelated with the continued violent conflict since May 3, 2023 due to attacks of the Kuki-Zomi militants against Meiteis in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Saikul, Moreh to claim the areas their exclusive territories and the counter attacks by the Meiteis.
Amidst the violent conflict that has been continuing for almost 25 months, the Government of Manipur has issued a MEMORANDUM on July 23, 2025, stepping up vigil along all international, inter-state, and inter-district borders amidst concerns over possible infiltration due to unrest in neighbouring countries.
The State Government’s Home Commissioner, N Ashok Kumar, directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all the districts of Manipur and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to implement a robust mechanism to prevent illegal entry into the State, the memorandum of State Home Department said.
“In view of apprehension of influx of illegal immigrants into the State especially due to the turmoil situation in neighbouring countries, all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police shall keep robust mechanism to prevent anyone from crossing into State boundaries illegally and shall ensure to maintain utmost vigil at international, inter-state and inter-district boundaries so as to prevent any such movement,” the memorandum added.
The memorandum also stated, “Any such movement, if detected, should be immediately reported and biographic and biometric details of such persons captured mandatorily.”
Further, the State Home Department memorandum added that such illegal migrants shall have to be put at “secured designated locations for providing shelter and humanitarian support without allowing them to get mixed up or naturalised with local populace” and “all such illegal migrants shall be deported after following due procedures.”
“Deputy Commissioners shall constitute district-level committees with members from district police to conduct checking at all suspected locations and shall conduct regular review of the same,” the memorandum added.
“Deputy Commissioners shall regularly monitor the exit-entry points under the border pass system,” the official memorandum said.
In addition, a District Level Task Force is to be formed immediately in each district for verifying and checking illegal migrants. This team will include the Additional SP (as the lead), a senior officer from the DC’s office, representatives from security forces such as Assam Rifles, BSF or CRPF, and biometric staff.
The memorandum, signed by Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar, has been circulated to key officials including the Governor’s office, the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and all DCs and SPs.
Notably, the directive by the Government of Manipur, which is now under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025 came as eviction drives against land encroachment by illegal immigrants continue in neighbouring Assam, followed by Nagaland and Meghalaya.
According to reports, Assam State BJP on July 22, 2025 said that the ongoing eviction drives will continue till every inch of illegally encroached land in Assam is freed. “This is not merely an administrative step; it is the final battle to safeguard the very existence of Assam.”
“If anyone believes that a few eviction operations will make us retreat, or that we will bow before intimidating eyes or political pressure, let them be clear – our struggle will not stop until we have accounted for the sacrifices of the martyrs of the Assam movement,” BJP spokesperson Kalyan Gogoi said, echoing the words of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Moreover, the Government of Nagaland has earlier issued an order on July 21, 2025, citing apprehension of entry into the state by people displaced by the Assam government’s ongoing eviction drives.
With thousands in Assam displaced during the State government’s recent spate of evictions, and with more planned, the Northeastern state’s neighbours are on tenterhooks.
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio also held a meeting with top state officials during the day. “Convened a high-level meeting with @NagalandCS, @DGP_Nagaland, and other senior officials to strengthen vigilance mechanisms along the Assam-Nagaland border. The State Govt. is actively engaging with all stakeholders to prevent illegal infiltration,” he posted on X.
Nagaland Deputy CM Y Patton said the state would deploy additional forces in all areas bordering Assam, while the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Niuland district, which borders Assam, claimed to have sent back evicted illegal immigrants who were intercepted in “200 vehicles on Tuesday”.
The State has an Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime that mandates that citizens who do not belong to Nagaland must procure an official travel document issued by the State government to visit or stay.
Days after the Nagaland government referred to displaced people as “illegal immigrants” and ordered “heightened vigilance” on its border with Assam, Meghalaya Government also has issued similar directions to check their influx. The Nagaland Government’s move was triggered by an upcoming eviction drive in Uriamghat of Assam’s Golaghat district, which borders the State.
“In view of the ongoing eviction drive against the illegal immigrants undertaken by the government of Assam and to prevent possible influx of the displaced individuals to the state as consequence, all Deputy Commissioners are hereby directed to keep vigilance and take necessary measures to ensure the potential influx is kept in check, and law and order is maintained,” read the order issued by the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya government on July 23, 2025.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on July 25, 2025 met all District Collectors and senior officials, including the DGP and Chief Secretary, to “strengthen vigilance and security” along the Assam border, to ensure there is no “infiltration” into the state.
“There are certain vulnerable districts, especially bordering Assam and closer to areas where the eviction drives are going on. Hence, special attention is being given in those districts … We have been informed that no incident has taken place in any of these districts. All the district administrations, police, Village Defence Parties (VDPs), village-level committees, traditional heads and NGOs are being kept in the loop to ensure information regarding movement or individuals is communicated to us and appropriate action is taken,” Sangma said after the meeting.
Now, the Government of the States of Manipur, Nagaland and Meghalaya which are the neighbouring States of Assam are seen taking up steps to curb illegal immigrants with thousands in Assam displaced during the State government’s recent spate of evictions, and with more planned and determined.
The regulation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) Systems in Nagaland cannot totally control the issue of illegal immigrants. The same also is not wrong in the case of Manipur without practical guidelines for the regulation of Inner Line Permit System in the State.
From the recent steps taken up by the three neighbouring States of Assam, it is apparent that the three States particularly Manipur still consider the issue of illegal immigrants as spill over of effect of Assam, which is not in reality. The issue of illegal immigrants in Manipur is not only a spill over effect of Assam. The illegal immigrants have found Manipur for decades a safe haven for them. The State Government needs to be serious enough and determined to check the illegal immigrants consistently and effectively, and detect and deport as per the law. Administrative measures alone cannot address the issue. Political will and determination are needed.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
