A note on cross-border migration into Manipur

Amarjeet Singh, TK Singh *

Manipur-Myanmar border fence at Moreh as on 22 October 2013 :: Pix - Ashok Ninghoujam

Even though migration is considered an inherent component of global migration, it may still be a source of conflict in many places, including Manipur. Since May this year, Manipur has been engulfed in a deadly conflict between two major communities, the Kukis and the Meiteis. The conflict has been compounded by inadequate guarding of the India-Myanmar border.

There have been several types of cross-border migration from the border areas of Myanmar, particularly Chin State, into the border areas of India, particularly Manipur and Mizoram. These include people who were impacted by the recent military takeover, those seeking a better life, and people who did so for political reasons. But it is difficult to differentiate between them since they enter the country without proper documents.

In the aftermath of the military takeover and the ongoing unrest in Manipur, the cross-border migration has gained a significant traction. India and Myanmar share a porous border. As a result, anyone can easily cross the border without any official permit and mix with some of the host communities taking advantage of their common ethnicity and culture.

The existing free movement regime also allows free movement of people from the two countries within 16 kilometers on both sides of the border keeping in view the traditional social relations among the border people. But the facility has been misused by militants, criminals, and others.

In response to queries in the Lok Sabha in July 2021, Shri Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, indicated that because illegal migrants, including refugees, enter the country clandestinely and covertly, precise statistics are unavailable. In March 2021, the Union Home Ministry instructed Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur “it has been reported that illegal influx from Myanmar has begun.”

Coincidently, in the parts of Manipur that border Myanmar where migration has occurred, the number of new villages has grown at an alarming rate as per the Government record. Even 1039 more villages are said to be awaiting approval of the State Government.

According to a State Government survey, illegal migrants have even set up villages. During the said survey conducted in April 2023, about 2,187 undocumented migrants were identified from 41 villages/locations (see, “Illegal Myanmarese Set Up Villages, Refused Shelters”: Manipur Panel, NDTV, June 21, 2023).

Many more will be identified, if a proper survey is further conducted. Districts of the State that are thought to be affected by cross-border migration have seen substantial decadal population growth and the growth of new villages. Since there is higher growth from what is observed in other parts of the State, some communities are worried that certain groups who are thought to be supporting undocumented migration will outnumber them.

It is also difficult to distinguish the undocumented migrants from some sections of the host populations. The latter have been accused of facilitating fraudulent acquisition of public service cards such as ration cards, birth certificates, and Aadhaar by undocumented migrants. Local newspapers have reported about the arrest of undocumented migrants with such public service cards.

In the past, several people have been detained for staying in the State without valid documentation. Due to dearth of evidence and other critical factors, the authorities were unable to identify the migrants. Locals’ support is vital to the success of such an effort. Some undocumented migrants were accused of their involvement in instigating violence during the State’s ongoing conflict.

It is widely claimed that some anti-Tatmadaw groups of Myanmar are also complicit in inciting violence in Manipur. The local police recently found some Myanmar Nationals who had been treated for explosive and bullet wounds at Churachandpur’s district hospital.

In the interest of National security in general, and peace in Manipur, enhancement of policing along the India-Myanmar border is important. In addition to proper border demarcation and deployment of specialised border guards, the creation of infrastructure like link roads is necessary to enhance road connectivity.

Once these is achieved, fencing should be constructed, border out posts should be set up, and floodlighting should be undertaken. In addition, the impact of the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme in the State should be thoroughly evaluated to understand the constraints and weaknesses.

Even while we recognize the inevitability of migration, we cannot endorse undocumented migration into Manipur since it will fuel conflict there. The Central Government has initiated the process of capturing biographic and biometric data of ‘illegal migrants’ in Manipur and Mizoram. This is a welcome move but it would be a challenging task in Manipur.

Note: This piece first appeared in ThePrint on 13 July 2023.