Imphal: The Meitei Tribe Union has criticised the Indian government for failing to curb illegal immigration into Manipur from Myanmar. Organisation Secretary T. Parijat warned that the current lack of action poses severe demographic, social, and political risks to the state.
While the Union acknowledged the government's recent efforts to identify and deport illegal migrants, it argued that these measures are disproportionately focused on Bangladeshi immigrants. They claim the unique challenges posed by the Myanmar border remain largely ignored. Despite persistent calls for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens in Manipur, the government has yet to act.
The Union highlighted a May 2026 directive from the Centre requiring states to establish task forces to remove illegal immigrants. They questioned why these measures have not been visibly applied in Manipur, which shares a porous border with Myanmar. Additionally, the Union expressed frustration after being excluded from a recent meeting between the Union Home Minister and the chief ministers of West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura regarding border security.
Accusing the government of prioritising vote-bank politics, the Union claimed that illegal immigrants continue to receive benefits while indigenous concerns are sidelined. They also cited unresolved 2018, 2019, and 2024 Manipur State Cabinet resolutions seeking the removal of the term Any Kuki Tribes from the state's Scheduled Tribe list, noting that these recommendations have seen no progress under federal review.
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