Biren calls for NRC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 10 2026: Ex-Chief Minister N Biren has called upon all sections of people to pile pressure on the Centre so that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is updated, all illegal immigrants are identified and deported back to their native countries.

N Biren was speaking at a felicitation cum distribution of financial assistance to senior citizens (above 80 years) held under the banner "4th Sajibu Khudol, 2026" at Laipham Khunou Mamang Leikai today.

N Biren said that there is lots of confusion regarding the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 and this confusion must be studied collectively and cleared.

It is imperative to clear the confusion, and all sections of people need to work together to bring peace and normalcy in the State, he said.

"All of us will face trouble if the confusion is not cleared", Biren said.

Starting from the Seven Years' Devastation, Manipur has passed through several crises similar to the one witnessed today.

There was the Naga-Kuki clash from 1993 to 1998 in which around 1300 people were killed, then the Kuki-Paite clash which claimed 300 lives and the Meitei-Meitei Pangal conflict.

All these crises were resolved at the end, he said.

The ex-CM asserted that a lasting solution must be worked out to the current crisis, instead of opting for ad-hoc or temporary solutions.

Saying that FMR was revoked, border fencing expanded from just 3/4 Kms to around 60 Kms, ILP introduced and collection of biometric data of immigrants had started when he was serving as the Chief Minister, Biren noted that the people's desire is identification of illegal immigrants, whether it may be through NRC or some other mechanism.

Biren stated that his Government had started identification of illegal immigrants under the Indian Foreigners' Act 1946 .

"Apart from piling pressure on the Government of India to conduct NRC in Manipur, we must search all relevant documents and submit them to the Centre", he said.

While waiting for the initiation of the NRC process, a committee may be formed to identify and deport illegal immigrants, Biren said.

He said that the Union Home Minister sent a letter on May 29, 2023 asking the State Government to identify and collect biometric data of illegal immigrants in Manipur by September 2023 .

Informing that identification of illegal immigrants could not be completed by September, the State Government wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs to extend the period given for collection of immigrants' biometric data. Subsequent upon the State Government's request, the Home Ministry sent another letter whereby the period for collection of biometric data was extended till March 31, 2024 .

"If the State Government can persuade the Centre to extend the window for identification of illegal immigrants and collection of their biometric data by 2-3 years, illegal immigrants living in State can be identified properly", the ex-Chief Minister asserted.

Underscoring the paramount importance of unity and collective efforts, Biren said that Assam has successfully conducted NRC and identified illegal immigrants as a result of the collective efforts made by the people and the Government of Assam.

"Come what may, I will face all challenges to save the Manipuri Nation", he added.

Rajya Sabha Member Leishemba Sanajaoba too attended the programme.

He hailed the State's culture of showing deep respect to elders and senior citizens.

It is a matter of concern that this culture of showing respect to elders seems to have diminished these days, he remarked.

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