PAPPM urges Bhalla to crack down on illegal immigration
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 18 2025: The People's Alliance for Peace and Progress Manipur (PAPPM) has urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to launch a firm crackdown on illegal immigration and establish a transparent mechanism for identifying and addressing the same issue.

The PAPPM today submitted a memorandum to the Governor and asked for strong enforcement measures against poppy cultivation and drug trafficking.

It appealed for protection and preservation of Reserved and Protected Forests, with stringent actions against encroachment.

The PAPPM also urged the Governor to take up clear policy directives to isolate and counteract political agendas that disrupt social harmony in the State.

The memorandum said that the prevailing unrest in Manipur is deeply rooted in political agendas that do not align with the collective aspirations of the indigenous people.

A prominent example is the opposition to the demand and implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) System, which faced violent resistance, including an attack on a peaceful rally in Moreh advocating for ILP in 2015 .

The incident, which saw the destruction of numerous Meitei-owned shops and houses, underscores the conflict between Kuki political interests and the welfare of the indigenous communities of Manipur, it said.

The Meitei community has always been committed to peaceful coexistence with all communities in Manipur.

However, critical issues such as illegal immigration, rampant poppy cultivation, drug smuggling, and the destruction of Reserved and Protected Forests must be urgently addressed.

The unchecked proliferation of these problems harms the State and the Nation.

"We strongly oppose any political agenda that seeks to shield or promote such activities", the PAPPM said.

Even as former Chief Minister N Biren Singh made significant efforts to establish peace and development by countering disruptive political influences, elements of Kuki politics have played a pivotal role in instigating the unfortunate violence that continues to plague Manipur, it said and added that addressing these factors is crucial for ensuring long-term stability in the State.

The Meitei community has historically co-existed peacefully with all other communities in Manipur and aspires to continue doing so.

However, achieving this goal requires isolating disruptive political elements that seek to divide the State.

There are strong concerns that Kuki politics receives indirect support from external entities, including agencies of the Government of India.

If such influences are not curtailed, peace in Manipur will remain elusive, the PAPPM wrote to the Governor.

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