State gears up to identify illegal immigrants
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 19 2023: Taking cognizance of the demand being raised by students and other organisations for implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, a review meeting was held yesterday to carry out a verification drive in at least five hill districts.

The review meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister.

In his Facebook post, the Chief Minister said, "Chaired a meeting to review the preparations for the verification drive to be taken up in five districts, namely Chandel, Chura-chandpur, Tengnoupal, Kamjong and Pherzawl for identification of illegal immigrants today.

I believe that it is the State Government's bounden duty to protect the indigenous population, and we will take up all necessary means to carry out our responsibilities" .

State gears up to identify illegal immigrants

According to the organisations which have been demanding implementation of NRC in Manipur, unlawful entry of non-locals from other States and neighbouring countries into Manipur has been posing serious threats to the identity, culture, economy and ecosystem of Manipur apart from causing demographic imbalance.

They even claimed that abnormal growth of population in some hill districts clearly indicates setting up of unauthorised villages by outsiders.

On March 17, a group of Manipur based student organisations staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi and they urged the Government to identify the illegal immigrants and take up necessary actions against them.

On the other hand, the Government sources have not ruled out NRC type detection, deletion and deportation of illegal immigrants mostly from neighbouring Myanmar.

About the movement, N Biren said, "It is a positive sign of the indigenous people's concern regarding the escalating infiltration of outsiders in the State.

I feel now the indigenous people of Manipur have started knowing the gravity of the seriousness of influx" .

The Chief Minister also highlighted that the Centre has already extended the Inner Line Permit System (ILP) to the State in recognition of the potential threat to the native population posed by the rising number of immigrants.

"There has to be a mechanism of illegal immigrant movement from across the international border," he opined.