Be alert to illegal immigration, says Manipur CM

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday (January 23, 2025) advised the indigenous peoples of the State to be alert to the problem of illegal immigration from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The Chief Minister’s cautionary note was said to be linked to the Mahur-Tamenglong Road, which will connect Manipur with central Assam after completion. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the State is apprehensive of Bangladeshi people accessing this road.

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“There is a possibility of the immigrants entering Manipur if they escape detection in Assam,” Mr. Singh told presspersons 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.

Manipur shares a border with Myanmar but not with Bangladesh.

“On the eastern front, we are facing illegal migration of people from Myanmar. On the western and southern sides, we are facing the problem of Bangladeshi immigrants. I appeal to all indigenous people to be careful,” he said.

While a foreigner needs the Protected Area Permit, any Indian living beyond the State has to possess an inner-line permit or ILP to enter Manipur. The ILP, an official travel document under a British-era law, allows an Indian citizen to be in Manipur for a limited period.

Also read | 2,480 illegal immigrants detected in Manipur in 2023 before outbreak of violence: CM N. Biren Singh

Poppy plantations

The Chief Minister said the State government would continue with the destruction of poppy plantations across Manipur. “The State police along with Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, Army, and Forest Department officials are taking steps to destroy poppy plantations. We will continue it,” he said.

Poppy plantations and illegal migration of people from Myanmar are said to be among the reasons behind the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo people which has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced some 60,000 since May 2023.

The Chief Minister claimed the law-and-order situation in the State has been improving, prompting his government to relaunch the ‘Go to Hills’ and ‘Go to Village’ missions. These were the BJP-led government’s flagship programmes during his first term from 2017 to 2022.

Since December, Mr. Singh has attended programmes in the Naga-majority districts of Kamjong, Senapati, and Tengnoupal before holding a Cabinet meeting in the Tamenglong district on Tuesday.

Content creators warned

The Chief Minister warned social media influencers and content creators against spreading hatred online, which could drive a wedge between communities.

“I appeal to all social media handlers in Manipur to behave properly so that unnecessary misunderstanding is not created because of their irresponsible statements. The offenders will be punished as per the law of the land. It is a serious matter and we are keeping track,” he said.