TODAY -

Govt counters The Hindu editorial on conflict, influx
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, May 17 2024: The editorial, "Lame excuses: On Manipur and the ethnic conflict," published by The Hindu on May 15, 2024, attempts to defame the measures undertaken by the central and state governments to resolve the unrest in Manipur by terming them as "over-simplification and biased" views of the conflict.

Since The Hindu does not have any clear understanding of the deeper issues in Manipur, it has cited Chief Minister N Biren Singh's statement that 5,457 illegal immigrants were found in Manipur's Kamjong district as a claim to back up its allegations.

However, the fresh arrival of illegal immigrants into Manipur, following the military coup in Myanmar, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Even before the state government started the drive to identify and collect the biometric data of the immigrants, as many as 996 new villages had already mushroomed in Manipur as a result of years of illegal immigration, which went unchecked and undetected.

The measures to identify the illegal immigrants and collect their biometric data were started only in February 2023 after forming a Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by minister Letpao Haokip, who himself is from the Kuki tribe.

This committee, which also included minister Awangbow Newmai, a Naga MLA, and minister Th Basanta, a Meetei, carried out the identification drive.

During this exercise, 2,187 illegal immigrants were found settling at 41 locations in the state.

The identification of such a large number of illegal immigrants in the first phase of the held visits itself caused panic among the illegal immigrants settled in the state.

It was during this identification exercise that the establishment of such villages was objected to, and they were advised that shelter homes would be built by the government for them.

The illegal immigrants strongly objected to the proposal, and it was one of the reasons for the violence that broke out in the state.

Decades earlier, there was a massive influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar into Manipur, particularly in the years 1988 and 1962.No measures were undertaken to collect their biometric data or identities.

They were freely allowed to continuously encroach and settle in the protected forest areas of Manipur.

The Hindu chose to ignore the demographic changes taking place due to the influx of immigrants and the adverse outcomes that have been occurring for years, even before the measure for identification was launched.

The editorial accuses the state of being biased against a particular ethnic group, which is far from the truth and quite misleading.

The Manipur state government is not biased against any ethnic community, and the identification of illegal immigrants is not limited to only one community.

The state has a firm stand on illegal migration, and it has been monitoring the issue as per the directives and instructions of the Central government.

In 1972, there were only 6 Kuki MLAs, while the Nagas had 13 MLAs.

Now, there are 10 Naga MLAs and 10 Kuki MLAs.

Why is there a reduction of Naga representatives contrary to how the numbers of Kuki legislators have significantly increased? The Hindu should come to Manipur and report on the available data and records instead of being a propaganda machine.

Why has The Hindu ignored looking into the issues concerning the loss of forest cover in the state? Who are the people carrying out rampant deforestation in the hills of Manipur to carry out mass poppy plantations? The Hindu does not care to answer these questions or show concern about the loss of biodiversity in Manipur due to encroachment upon protected and reserved forest areas.

The editorial also claims that refugees in Manipur are stigmatised and the state's policies are contrary to the approach taken by Mizoram.

These are baseless allegations, as the immigrants are being provided with basic needs like food grains, water supply, power supply, even roofing, and other essential commodities in their respective camps, such as the ones located in Kamjong.

The deportation of illegal immigrants js being carried out by the district administration on both sides of the border, and only after they have chosen to return to their respective villages after normalcy returned in particular areas.

The state government also announced that further deportations would resume only after normalcy returns.

Ironically, they have outnumbered the local populace of the places where they are sheltered.

This has caused many issues in these places, as was recently highlighted by the Phungyar MLA K Leishiyo Keishing.

There has been a continuous threat to the state's heterogeneous population and demography due to the constant upsurge in the number of illegal migrants.

So far, around 16,161 acres of poppy cultivation in the Kuki Zo-dominated areas in the districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi have been destroyed under the War on Drugs campaign of the government.

Drugs amounting to Rs 7,887,676,32,330 have been seized, and a total of 2,351 cases have been registered, while as many as 2,943 people have been arrested since 2017.The Hindu has also ignored the sudden spike in the seizure of staggering quantity of drugs trafficked from Myanmar into Mizoram since 2023, following the unrest in Manipur.

The Hindu once used to be a respected media firm, but now it has murdered all ethical journalism and standards.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




HEADLINES - 18, MAY 2024
  • Pineapple farms found destroyed
  • State Govt slams Hindu editorial
  • IBSD promotes traditional foods, medicinal plants of Mizoram
  • Award recipients announced
  • Cultural Forum Manipur observes Foundation Day
  • World Telecommunication & Information Society Day held
  • ILDS receives accreditation from Olympus (India)
  • Remanded
  • VDF man hurt in fresh attack by Kuki militants
  • Step by step account of murder of mother disclosed
  • WMC gives ST call to CM
  • Protect the idea of Manipur: UCM
  • NCPCR, MCPCR review action plan on substance use
  • State museum
  • Sharp spike in cases of snakes entering homes
  • Govt urged
  • NCC Imphal Group Commander, others call on Governor
  • Locals denounce proposed plan of diverting natural course of Arong River
  • Indian Army organises mega health camps on World Hypertension Day
  • Felicitation ceremonies held at various places
  • Career guidance programme organised
  • 21st Restoration Day observed
  • First death anniversary of slain rifleman Alok Rao observed
  • Importance of protecting endangered wildlife species highlighted
  • No court willing to hear pleas of accused: JAC
  • MCPCR chief stresses trained child counsellors
  • Highway tax hindering urea transportation
  • Scribes visit pineapple farms at Thayong, Tamram
  • 64,856 people diagnosed with high BP: Dr Premchandra
  • MPRFM pleas Govt intervention in rice distribution
  • Descendants propose King Marjit museum in Bangladesh
  • Susindro Foundation honours topper students
  • NCC CO, MUC VC, others call on Governor
  • Meet opposes realignment of Arong River in Charangpat
  • Army holds medical camp on World Hypertension Day
  • ILDS receives Centre of Excellence accreditation
  • Rally pitches for ST tag to Meetei
  • After 'deal' AR deployed at Leimaram Waroiching
  • Beneficiaries urge for regular distribution
  • National curriculum framework dissected
  • Ex-tempore, painting competition held
  • Bodies condemn murder of Zaheer Khan
  • NSS special camp underway
  • Career Guidance prog for ST students held
  • Sanjiv Das remanded to custody
  • Celin Digital fetes Kunjo, Phungreingam
  • PAL announces names of awardees
  • Environmental activist reaches Mayang Imphal
  • Farmers trained on piggery, insurance
  • Workshop cum production play 'Sandrembi Chaisra' staged
  • AR conducts Swachhta Abhiyan in Moreh
  • LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Manipur Medal Tally : 38th National Games
  • Cherrapunji Craft Gin Raises 1.2 Million
  • Explaining 11th President's Rule in Manipur
  • Lui-Ngai-Ni - Naga Seed Sowing Fest : Book
  • 'Ensure Tamei board exams centre operates'
  • Manipur & her trysts with destinies
  • Kitovi-led NNPGs question Rajya Sabha MP
  • One should always speak of life, not marks
  • Farce of a reason for PR
  • After PR all eyes on ending conflict
  • Draft plan for employment generation #1
  • Loingambi, Mingyashin, Chingri : eMing
  • World Radio Day at Rongdai
  • Focus on present challenges for bright future
  • Ed Sheeran brings India Tour to Shillong
  • Beauty tips for Valentine's Day
  • President's Rule has come !
  • No takers for the hot seat!
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • 50 years of Pebet @MCA #1 : Gallery
  • Kwatha Pham Kaaba :: Movie Review
  • Calls for Resignation of Amit Shah
  • Meitei eschatological belief & ethnic struggle
  • Stop border fencing & restore FMR
  • Failing in a competitive exam is not the end
  • Patra, Bhalla : Men of the moment
  • Warning to social media users amid unrest
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet