Illegal immigrants brought in for vote banks: Maheshwar
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 28 2024:
Illegal Kuki immigrants were provided safe entry into the state from across the border for a long time due to the insincerity and self-centric attitude of the elected representatives and their greed to become CM and ministers, charged Republican Party of India (Athawale) national secretary Maheshwar Thaonaojam.
Speaking in a series of meetings conducted at Huikap, Yambem, An-gtha and Yairipok villages as part of his unity campaign on February 25, Maheshwar pointed out that even though The All Manipur Hill Areas Acquisition of Chief Rights Act, 1967 was passed 67 years back, it is yet to be implemented in Manipur till date.
Had the Act been implemented in the state, the unchecked increase in the number of Kuki villages in Manipur could have been controlled and Kuki chiefs not dared to do things at their own discretion.
He further said that entry of illegal Kuki immigrants could not be prevented for the last many decades due to lack of sincerity on the part of the elected representatives, who only eyed ministerial berths.
This is the reason why the All Manipur Hill Areas Acquisition of Chief Rights Act, 1967, despite its passage some six decades back, has not been enforced till date.
Maheshwar also pointed out that Kukis, under an Act, were given the right to set up a village and name it if there are 20 households.
Taking advantage of this, Kukis began to bring in more illegal immigrants from across the border to set up villages one after another.
These Kukis were used as vote banks by the politicians to win elections and get ministerial berths.
It is very unfortunate that the leaders of the state remain silent over this matter, he expressed.