Illegal immigration, a problem for all indigenous people: MMTU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 02 2026: Stating that addressing the issue of illegal immigration is not the responsibility of only a few organisation, the Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMTU) has called on all indigenous people of the State to unite in the face of growing threat posed by the influx of foreign Nationals from Myanmar to the State.

In a statement, the Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union alleged that both the Central and the State Governments have failed to take concrete steps to identify and deport illegal immigrants who have settled in the State despite widespread demands to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before conducting the Census.

The Union further claimed that the Government of India (GoI) and the State Government appear to be working to include foreign Nationals who entered Manipur illegally in the Census exercise.

Saying that the influx of illegal immigrants is a core issue confronting Manipur, the Union further claimed that Myanmar Nationals who entered the State illegally have occupied two-third of Manipur's hill districts.

The Union alleged that these illegal immigrants, who are now demanding a separate State, have constructed roads, bridges and other infrastructure without any authorisation from the Government.

The Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union went on to allege that many illegal immigrants have become lawmakers, bureaucrats and leaders of armed groups, and they are scheming to balkanise Manipur by launching a violent campaign against the indigenous people of the State.

Although the GoI rescheduled the commencement of the Census exercise in Manipur from April 1 to August 17 and issued multiple notifications to identify illegal immigrants, no steps were taken during the intervening period to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) or identify illegal immigrants, it claimed.

The Manipur Legislative Assembly had adopted two resolutions supporting the implementation of the NRC in the State.

The Union also claimed that two agreements were signed between student bodies and the Government in 1980 and 1994 to identify illegal immigrants, but no tangible action has been taken so far.

The Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union added that commencing the Census exercise without first updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be unacceptable.

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