Imphal, Feb 13: Manipur caretaker Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Thursday that the state machinery has struggled to respond effectively to illegal immigration from May 3, 2023, when the ethnic violence began in the state leaving over 250 people killed and thousands homeless.
Illegal immigration continues to be on the rise in the border state, threatening the very fabric of the society, Singh said in a post on X on Thursday evening.
Singh resigned on February 9 and was asked by the governor to continue in office till alternative arrangements were made. Notably, Manipur came under President’s Rule later in the evening on Thursday.
Addressing “indigenous friends”, Singh said in a post on X: “Our land and identity are under threat. With a small population and limited resources, we stand vulnerable. I monitored and detected illegal immigration tirelessly until May 2, 2023. But after the tragic events of 3rd May, 2023 our state machinery has struggled to respond effectively.”
Singh claimed that an unguarded 398 km border with Myanmar and the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with that country were changing Manipur’s demographic balance.
“This is not speculation, it is happening before our eyes. Since our government took charge in March 2017, the challenge has only intensified. After the May 3, 2023 incident, the situation has become even more critical” Singh said.
The Centre, in January last year announced that the FMR, which allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other’s territory without a visa, will end soon.
The 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, currently has FMR. It was implemented in 2018 as part of India’s Act East policy.
“Manipur is a small state, with a small population and no significant resources. We have only three MPs to represent us in the nation’s highest decision-making body. Yet, we have always stood with pride, resilience, and an unbreakable spirit,” Singh said.
He said, “Illegal immigration continues to be on the rise, threatening the very fabric of our society. So far, we have only identified a fraction of those who have entered our land. But what about the ones who remain undetected to this day?”
Singh urged all authorities concerned to take serious note and intensify efforts to detect and deport illegal immigrants from Manipur. “As for me, I will continue this fight with unwavering commitment in every way I can,” the caretaker CM said. (PTI)
