CorCom makes clear its stance on migrants-III
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 08 2012: Contd from previous issue .

There is a growing apprehension that the indigenous people of Manipur would be wiped out in case the influx of immigrants is not checked.

Just as other communities of WESEA are mobilising mass movements against immigrants, people of Manipur too should follow suit.

Most of the immigrants came to Manipur after obtaining documents either in Assam or Tripura just like Bangladeshi immigrants obtained documents and papers in Assam before entering Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

This implied that the days are not far when the indigenous people of Manipur would be reduced to minority in their own land.

Brig Amrit Kapur and other experts termed the continuous influx from Bangladesh to Assam as 'silent population invasion' .

Garo and Khasi students have launched a protest movement against influx in Meghalaya.

Naga students too have launched similar movements.

Like all other countries and regions which have been working to check influx of immigrants, Manipur too should work collectively in the same line.

India, the main source of immigration to WESEA has the second largest population in the world whereas the all the States of WESEA are territorially very small.

It was within a short span of time that the population of indigenous Tripuris and Sikkimese were reduced to 28 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

Asking if the people should just stand and watch the influx as if totally helpless, CorCom asserted that the indigenous people should fight back the Government of India's alleged policy of 'population invasion' with all their wits and might.

It's time to take up stringent measures to stop further influx and drive out those immigrants who have already settled in Manipur.

If such measures are not taken up immediately, all the indigenous culture, customs and traditions would be distorted and ultimately identity of the indigenous people would be altered completely.

Stating that the all the indigenous people are in a moribund state, the committee called upon one and all to fight collectively before it is too late so that the future generations do no face similar situations.

With the objective of checking influx, the CorCom also announced several measures which include; no one should sell land, house or shop to immigrants, no one should hire labourers or business partners, those who have already hired labourers or let out houses should terminate the contract by December 31, 2012, no one should issue identification documents to immigrants like no objection certificate, birth certificate, voter identity card, and insurance policy related documents.

Drivers/transporters should not bring in immigrants.

Nonetheless, those coming for a short, specific period in relation with academic, art and culture, religion and business purposes would be exempted from the above prohibitions, CorCom.

concluded .

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