Manipur: A Refugee Dumping Ground? Former CM N Biren Singh Sparks Debate

Calling for an honest reassessment of this historical chapter, N Biren Singh urged for a balanced approach to addressing its implications.

Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has reignited a long-standing debate over the state’s role in hosting refugees, claiming that Manipur has been used as a “dumping ground” for displaced populations since before it attained full statehood. In a strongly worded post on his official X account, N Biren Singh stressed that the influx of refugees into the state is not a recent phenomenon but a decades-old issue that has quietly shaped Manipur’s demographic and political landscape.

According to Biren Singh, historical records indicate that as early as the late 1960s and early 70s, over 1,500 refugee families had already been settled in Manipur with the knowledge and approval of authorities. He cited official correspondences, including a letter from then-Member of Parliament Paokai Haokip to K.C. Pant, Minister of State for Home Affairs, in 1967. The letter, Singh noted, explicitly acknowledged the presence of these refugee families and the assistance provided for their rehabilitation.

Is Manipur a Dumping Ground for Refugees from the Very Beginning?

Amid all the political noise and distractions that often cloud our public discourse, we must not lose sight of the core issue, one that has been quietly shaping Manipur’s reality for decades. It’s hard not to feel… pic.twitter.com/egcKGEw4zo

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) April 2, 2025

“What happened to those families? How were they integrated into society? How many generations have grown since then? These questions have never been fully addressed in the public domain,” Biren wrote, stressing the need for a thorough discussion on the issue.

The former chief minister also questioned whether legal mechanisms were in place to regulate the refugee influx, whether these individuals were granted full rights, added to electoral rolls, or extended benefits meant for indigenous communities. “These are not minor concerns; they touch the core of our identity, our social balance, and the direction we are heading in as a society,” he wrote.

N Biren Singh expressed concern over the backlash often faced by individuals who raise such issues, stating that anyone questioning the refugee settlements is quickly labeled. “Ironically, had we stayed silent, we might have been seen as agreeable or unproblematic. But silence is no longer an option,” he stated.

Calling for an honest reassessment of this historical chapter, N Biren Singh urged for a balanced approach to addressing its implications. “We need to understand what happened, reflect on its impact, and chart a fair and just path forward—not to assign blame, but to ensure that the future of Manipur remains secure,” he added.

N Biren Singh also said, “It is easy to go with the tide, but true leadership lies in standing firm on facts. We owe it to our people to be truthful, to defend their dignity, and to be forward-looking. That is what it means to be a statesman, not just a politician.”

The issue remains contentious, particularly in light of ongoing demographic and political concerns in the state.

It may be noted that since May 3, 2023, Manipur has been witnessing a crisis between the Meitei and Kuki communities. More than 60,000 people have been displaced, over 250 people have lost their lives, and many are still missing.

The situation has led to a deep divide, with Meiteis and Kukis unable to move freely across the state. To maintain law and order, over 60,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in addition to the state’s own security forces that were already stationed there. Following Biren Singh’s resignation as Chief Minister on February 9, Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13.

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