Illegal immigrants fuelling security, demographic concerns
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 26 2025: The recent arrest of a Myanmarese national in Mizoram with an Aadhaar card issued in Manipur has once again highlighted the growing concern over the illegal entry of Myanmarese citizens into India's Northeast and their alleged acquisition of Indian identity documents through fraudulent means.

This trend, especially profound in Manipur, poses serious threat to national security and demographic changes in the region.

In a joint operation conducted on June 24 by Assam Rifles, the Village Defence Party (VDP) of Hiangmun, and officials from Ngopa police station, a Myanmarese national was apprehended near Hiangmun village in Saitual district of Mizoram.

The individual, found in possession of 121 grams of heroin worth over Rs 90 lakh, held an Aadhaar card purport edly issued in Manipur.

The arrested person and the contraband were handed over to Ngopa police station for further investigation.

This case follows a pattern noted by multiple investigations and reports over the past few years, where illegal immigrants from Myanmar are allegedly obtaining Indian documents, allowing them to settle, access resources, and in some cases, engage in illicit activities under assumed Indian identities.

In October 2021, India Today reported the arrest of 28 Myanmarese in Tengnoupal district over a span of 48 hours.

All were caught travelling with fake Aadhaar cards, obtained through what was suspected to be an organised racket, at the KLP checkpoint while travelling to Imphal.

The previous day, 24 others were intercepted at Khudengthabi checkpoint on the Moreh-Imphal highway in three passenger vehicles.

According to a senior Tengnoupal police official, "21 out of 24 Myanmar nationals were found with fake Aadhaar cards and they were on their way to Churachandpur".

The same month, 14 more Myanmarese nationals were caught at Imphal airport while allegedly trying to board a Delhi-bound flight using fake Aadhaar cards.

A 2022 investigative report by The Print revealed that many refugees from Myanmar, particularly from Chin and Sagaing states, were obtaining Indian identity documents after settling in places like Churachandpur, often with local community support.

These individuals, linked ethnically to the local Kuki population, have been able to blend in, making identification difficult for law enforcement agencies.

One such case involved a Myanmarese couple, who fled Myanmar with their children and crossed into India through Moreh.

They leased land and homes in Churachandpur and enrolled their children in schools.

Similarly, Thomas (name changed), a former protestor and school teacher from Myanmar, entered Behiang disguised as a piglet trader.

Speaking about their decision to escape, Thomas said, "We grew up under an oppressive military regime.

We do not want to be dictated by them again".

The integration is aided by endorsements from local village chiefs.

A senior police officer admitted, "The village chiefs give letters to refugees saying they are residents of the village.

Based on that, they get a domicile certificate.

A domicile certificate, a phone number and an introducer are all you need to get an Aadhaar card.

Once they have all these documents, it's difficult to catch them".

The situation had become so acute that the Sadbhavana Mandop community building in Churachandpur was converted into a detention centre in 2022, housing 46 Myanmarese nationals, including some who arrived before the 2021 coup.

Civil society groups have strongly opposed what they view as unchecked illegal immigration.

"There is no fencing on the border and illegal immigrants are bribing officials, taking land in the hills and getting themselves on the electoral rolls, " warned the then COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba.

"They are taking away our rights over government schemes and resources," he said Athouba also pointed to census data showing an "abnormal rise" in unrecognised villages across five hill districts, adding, "Eventually they (illegal immigrants) will vote and dominate electoral politics.

We need an exercise like the NRC" .

However, former Kuki Inpi president Khaimang Chongloi rejected these allegations, attributing the rise in villages to internal displacement among Kukis.

"These increased villages are of those displaced Kukis.

They are not Burmese Kukis, which the Naga groups are claiming them to be," he said.

"Kukis do not support sheltering illegal immigrants and in fact, welcome the NRC" .

A June 2024 NDTV report revealed that Manipur police, working quietly amid ethnic tensions, busted a major fake ID racket involving Myanmarese nationals.

"We have been working on dozens and dozens of cases.

We have leads on many more and will follow them," an official said, requesting anonymity.

The seized fake Aadhaar and voter ID cards were often found bearing addresses in Churachandpur or other places in Manipur like Imphal, manipulated to appear legitimate.

Another official highlighted the gravity of the situation: "It is not only about Manipur.

We see it as a threat to national security".

Authorities believe these fake identity documents are being produced with help from local racketeers and criminal elements, some possibly linked to foreign networks.

"You make too much noise about it, and the trail will disappear," warned one of the investigators.

Though efforts are underway to biometrically register verified refugees, officials admit that many illegal immigrants avoid such processes and instead turn to fake Aadhaar gangs to secure Indian identity.

Amid mounting concerns, the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier set a 30-day deadline for states and union territories to verify the credentials of persons suspected to be illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

If their claims to Indian citizenship cannot be confirmed within this period, they will face deportation, sources said.

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