MMTU voices concern over rapidly rising immigrant population
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2025: Citing abnormal population growth in some areas in recent decades, the Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union has urged all communities of the State to stand together against the threat posed by illegal immigration.

In a press statement, the MMTU said that the influx of illegal immigrants from Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar has triggered a serious demographic challenge for indigenous communities in North East States like Assam, Manipur, and Tripura.

According to a 2017 UN Economic and Social Council report, an estimated 1,280 Bangladeshi Nationals are crossing into North East States illegally on a daily basis, the union said.

Moreover, the MMTU stated that Manipur is experiencing a continuous influx of illegal Chin-Kuki immigrants from Myanmar, fleeing the crisis in the neighboring country.

According to a report, between 2017 and 2022, these Chin-Kuki immigrants have established around 2,500 unauthorized villages in Manipur, the union emphasized and added that illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh tend to settle in places of North East States where they share similarities with the local population in terms of ethnicity, religion, and community.

Alleging that India's census reports provide evidence of illegal immigrants in Manipur, the MMTU said that the denial of entry of illegal Muslim immigrants in Manipur by some organizations is an attempt to conceal the truth and tacitly encourage illegal immigration.

The union clarified that the descendants of Meitei Pangals, who were granted surnames and permitted to settle in Manipur, are considered Manipuris.

Additionally, individuals who entered the region before 1951 or 1961 would be recognized as Indian citizens it said.

While Manipur's overall population growth rate was 6.23 per cent in the 1961 census, the Meitei Pangal community's growth rate was significantly higher at 30.62 per cent, MMTU said and added that the Meitei Pangal population growth rate from 1971 to 2011 was around 25.61 per cent to 46.06 per cent.

The union went on to allege that the growth rate of Meitei Pangal population from 2001 to 2011 as per a census report was 32.31 per cent at Kwakta, Chingkham-Lilong part (27.40 per cent), Chaobok (25.63 per cent), Nungei (25.47 per cent), Erong Chesaba (24.15 per cent), 39.6 per cent at Hiyangthang (Tarahei Kongil & Palap Muslim), Samusang Santipur (35.39 per cent), Uchiwa (30.22 per cent), Phoubakchao (41.76 per cent), Laphupat Tera (105.73 per cent), Cherapur (174.08 per cent), Keirang Muslim (25.28 per cent), Kshetrigao (27.13 per cent), Urup (24.97 per cent) and Huikap (52.18 per cent).

It also said that Jiribam has seen a sharp increase in Muslim villages and population growth rate.

Similarly, places such as Mao Maram (136.33 per cent), Paomata (99.15 per cent), Purul (120.38 per cent), Chandel (66.62 per cent), Chakpikarong (100.18 per cent), Tengnoupal (54.48 per cent), Saitu Gamphamjol (54.12 per cent), Churachandpur (40.77 per cent) too recorded abnormal population growth rate, the MMTU said.

The union noted that the World Health Organization considers a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman as the replacement level.

Citing a National Family Health Survey report, the union highlighted that the fertility rates for Meitei and Meitei Pangal communities are 1.77 and 2.34, respectively.

The significant disparity between fertility rates and population growth rates shows a substantial influx of illegal immigrants, it added.

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