Demand for NRC, population panel testifies restive state
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 15, 2023 -

IT is quite possible that the seemingly impromptu demonstration carried out by activists of student organisations on Monday in pursuance of the demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens and the fresh proposal by Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) that the government of Manipur should constitute state population commission wouldn't have drawn the public's attention had there been no large-scale cultivation of poppy plants and massive destruction caused to the natural forests in the hill areas or frequent arrest of drug peddlers, vehicle lifters and narcotic drugs producers in the valley.

While arrests made in connection with drug smuggling and vehicle stealing cases indicate involvement of people from different communities, it's an undeniable fact that majority of those apprehended actually belong to specific communities, thereby deepening the suspicion that certain group of people are abetting illegal activities and shielding criminal elements.

Such misdemeanours are some main factors to suspect allegiance of certain communities towards development of Manipur and wellbeing of the people.

The detection of new dwelling houses in hitherto uninhabited areas and arrest of people in both the hilly and plain areas of the state who aren't familiar with any of the major Indian languages substantiate the apprehension that certain elements are backing unauthorised influx into the state and stealthily supporting settlement and sources of livelihood through both illegal and legitimate activities.

Taking into account of the fact that there had been numerous instances of people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal arrested, it could be safely stated that attempts are on to marginalise the indigenous communities in their own homeland.

Notably, none other than chief minister N Biren asserted during the recently held assembly session that people belonging to two/three communities are generally involved in vehicle lifting and drug related businesses and stressed the need for the communities concerned to take up stringent actions against those involved in illegal activities at the community level.

Interestingly, the chief minister had admitted that punishment handed to individuals involved in anti-social activities, with special reference to drug smuggling and vehicle lifting, under the existing laws of the land is insignificant. He even went on to the extent of suggesting that the legal procedures for conviction should be accelerated.

As such, the fresh demands for implementation of NRC in the state and setting up of a population commission not only assume significance but also merit compassionate consideration by the establishment.

As the state has been frequently besieged with the problem of infiltration for the past many years, different organisations have been proposing to the state government to do the needful so as to avert possible public outrage only for the latter to pacify the agitated bodies with the assurance of looking into the matter.

Similarly, the government cannot brush aside the demand for formal exercise to maintain the NRC in view of the population growth rate of Manipur recording higher than the national average.

With the government commanding overwhelming majority, it is high time that the establishment enact laws effective enough to ensure safeguard of the indigenous population and prevent cross-border infiltration, failing which occurrence of serious socio-political turmoil cannot be ruled out.