Manipur CM sounds caution against illegal influx from Myanmar, terms it as a threat to national security

CM N Biren Singh added that as of May 7th, 5457 illegal immigrants were detected in Kamjong district

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh today once again warned against large scale infiltration from Myanmar into the state.

Stating that 996 new villages came up in different parts of the state over the years due to illegal immigration, CM N Biren Singh said that the unnatural population growth in some districts due to influx threatens to disturb the demographic balance. Briefing media persons in Imphal, CM N Biren Singh gave details of the detection of illegal migrants back in 2023.

CM N Biren Singh said, “Hardly we have only 30 lakh population, 3 million people only. And the influx of illegal migrants from the neighbouring state (Myanmar) is very alarming. As per the record available, I have already told that around 996 new villages have come up in different parts of the state. There is an unnatural growth of population in some of the districts. Accordingly after seeing all these seriousness, the threat to the native people, the state government has constituted one cabinet sub-committee under the Chairmanship of Minister for Hill Areas Development Letpao Haokip. Along with that we also had constituted a big team headed by one Commissioner, and Home Commissioner was there, IGP (Intelligence) was there and DCs of the concerned districts were also members.

After constitution of the sub-committee, on 16th Februrary 2023, the team went to some locations in some districts. They mainly visited Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Chandel, Churachandpur and Pherzawl. In Tengnoupal the Committee checked 13 villages where 1047 illegal migrants without any documents were found. In Chandel 10 villages were checked and 1155 illegal migrants were found. In Churachandpur 6 villages were checked and 154 illegal migrants were found. In Kamjong 24 villages were checked and in Pherjawl also, it was found that there around 2480 illegal migrants.”

CM N Biren Singh added that as of May 7th, 5457 illegal immigrants were detected in Kamjong district of which biometric data of 5173 have been collected.

“On 7 May I got a detailed report from the Kamjong Deputy Commissioner. Altogether the new entry of illegal migrants who are stationed there in camps are around 5457. Out of these 5173 have given their biometrics. Another 153 are still yet to give their biometrics. Out of that around 379 migrants have voluntarily left the camp and gone back to Myanmar,” the Manipur CM informed.

CM N Biren Singh added that the issue of influx poses threat to national security and said, “It has become a concern to the nation as well as to the native people. If we do not check it timely and properly, the demographic imbalance happening in the state already and with that pace it will happen more seriously. That is why I want to appeal to the concerned to support the government’s initiative in identifying and deporting the illegal migrants from the state of Manipur.”

CM N Biren Singh also thanked the National Green Tribunal for initiating a suo motu case following his social media post regarding the loss of forest cover in the state due to encroachment and widespread poppy cultivation.

“I really the appreciate the National Green Tribunal (NGT), they have picked up a suo moto case after seeing the report in my Tweet. I am very grateful because losing of forest area in entire Northeast particularly in Manipur is very alarming. The government is repeatedly working on it and we have initiated the Chief Minister’s Green Manipur Mission also. But it is not implemented fully because of many restrictions in the state. Even nobody is ready to recognise the reserved forests, nobody is ready to recognize the protected forest. So it has become a national issue. Whenever and wherever we cried, nobody was listening, but we are very fortunate that the case has been taken up suo moto by the NGT. I believe soon the NGT will be able save the forests of Manipur and particularly in the entire Northeast,” Manipur CM N Biren Singh further said.

Watch also: Manipur CM sounds caution against illegal influx from Myanmar

Read also: 877 square km of forest cover destroyed for poppy cultivation in Manipur in 34 years: CM N Biren Singh

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