Illegal growth of 996 villages detected : CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 30 2024: Chief Minister N Biren has categorically stated that the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and establishment of hundreds of unauthorised villages in the State is a threat to National security and the survival of natives.

In his X handle (formerly known as Twitter), the Chief Minister wrote, "Unnatural growth of 996 New Villages Due to Illegal Immigration: Threat to Indigenous People and National Security.

"Will anyone accept the unnatural growth of new villages and population, causing massive changes to the demography in their own State or country due to the influx of illegal immigrants ? .

"We're confronting a serious issue within our Nation, especially in Manipur, where several new villages have emerged due to a massive influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar since 2006 till date.

During this period, massive forest cover has been destroyed to establish settlements as well as carry out poppy plantations" .

An audio-video clip of 140 seconds showcasing satellite images and graphs of abrupt expansion of villages in Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl and Chandel district by clearing forest areas was also attached to the post.

The clip started with a caption "The Illegal Immigrants Have Been Entering Manipur Since 1967," and the same was also shared in his Instagram page.

In the clip, it highlighted the work done by a Cabinet Sub Committee constituted to identify illegal immigrants from Myanmar staying in Manipur before violence broke out on May 3, 2023 .

The Cabinet Sub Committee had Ministers Letpao Haokip, Awangbow Newmai and Thounaojam Basantakumar as members and its first inspection was carried out on April 24, 2023 .

The clip showed that 1147 illegal immigrants were detected in 13 villages of Tengnoupal, 881 in three villages of Chandel, 158 in one village of Churachandpur and another five immigrants in Kamjong.

In the comment section of the post, the Chief Minister wrote, "Not to mention, these illegal immigrants have started encroaching on the resources, job opportunities, land, and the rights of indigenous people.

"We have started collecting biometrics data of the illegal immigrants as well as geotagging of their settlements.

I appeal to everyone in the country to support the Government in keeping our Nation safe and secure from illegal immigrants.

"When the British Prime Minister recently asserted their unyielding commitment to deporting illegal immigrants and even claimed that no foreign Court can stop them, nobody dared to question the British Government.

"Now, when the Ministry of Home Affairs & the Government of Manipur adopt a similar stance and initiate the deportation of illegal immigrants from Manipur, certain sections of people are losing their sleep.

They have been persistently spreading false propaganda to portray the Government of Manipur as a communal Government," the Chief Minister added in his post.

Comment