Illegal immigration and Manipur crisis
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 22, 2024 -

Emigration and immigration have always been associated with the evolvement of human societies.

Emigration and immigration take place at different points of time in history at several places across the planet.

The dual process of emigration and immigration is associated with the human history since the dawn of civilization and even before but it came under stringent regulations with the advent of the concept of Nation States. Now there is not a single place in any part of the world where emigration and immigration are allowed unhindered or unchecked.

This does not mean the phenomena of emigration and immigration have been stopped totally.

Even today, emigration and immigration take place at different places but all under established laws and norms.

Migration of small groups of people from one country to another is generally accepted if the migration adheres to established rules and laws.

The moment migration or more precisely immigration takes the form of exodus and is driven by an intention to settle permanently in the host country or state, it breeds serious socio-economic and political problems.

Mass immigration is often not welcomed nor sanctioned by the laws of the host country/state, hence the term Illegal Immigration.

There are very few places where mass and permanent illegal immigration is allowed unchecked and Manipur is one of them.

For decades, Manipur has been a popular destination for mass and permanent illegal immigration from Myanmar.

For any process of emigration and immigration, there are varied push and pull factors.

One prominent push factor in the case of Myanmar and Manipur is the political persecution in Myanmar and one major pull factor is the economic opportunities available in Manipur.

But the illegal immigrants from Myanmar are not satisfied with economic security, they want more which are political in nature.

Taking undue advantage of their shared lineage with some communities of Manipur whose indigeneity is also under question, the illegal immigrants and their kindred tribes are now demanding a separate and exclusive political domain out of Manipur.

Emboldened by the patronage received from some quarters, the illegal immigrants and their militant groups are now waging a war against the state of Manipur.

This is the devastating effect of illegal immigration which went on unchecked for decades, and the challenge posed by mass illegal immigration is not restricted to a single community, it is, in fact, a grave threat to all the indigenous communities regardless of whether they are involved in the current conflict or not.

The problem with illegal immigrants starts when they have little respect for the laws of the land.

Perhaps, the Government of India has acknowledged the threats posed by illegal immigrants if Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement to fence Indo-Myanmar border and end free movement regime between the two countries is any indication.

No doubt, free movement regime has its own merits.

It facilitates people-to-people contact living in the border areas of the two countries in addition to boosting local trade and commerce.

Given the fact that certain tribes living in the border areas share same ethnicity with those living across the international border, the objection raised by some quarters against ending free movement regime is understandable.

At the same time, it is also a fact that the free movement regime is being exploited by illegal immigrants to make their way to Manipur and settle here permanently.

One needs to weigh the merits and demerits of the free movement regime carefully.

Anything that facilitates permanent exodus from across the border is detrimental to the collective interest of Manipur and her indigenous people.

Another major factor which facilitates mass exodus or illegal immigration from Myanmar is the 400 Kms long open border Manipur shares with its eastern neighbour.

If only the Government of India and Government of Manipur had checked illegal immigration from across the border in time, Manipur would not have been witnessing the current bloody turmoil.