A member of the legislative assembly (MLA) in Manipur has raised concerns with the Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, about the increasing number of Myanmar nationals living in shelters across eight villages.

The MLA claims that these individuals now surpass the number of local inhabitants, causing unease among them. The MLA, Leishiyo Keishing of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), reported on May 9 that these newcomers have been involved in conflicts with the villagers over minor issues.

According to Mr. Keishing, the local law enforcement lacks the manpower to apprehend these individuals and maintain order in the border regions.

Myanmar nationals living

He further stated that traditional local laws are ineffective against the refugees due to their different legal beliefs. Authorities have struggled to capture the perpetrators of several violent incidents and abductions attributed to the newcomers, as they often flee across the border, beyond the reach of local and national laws.

However, Manipur Police sources have informed NDTV that they have no official reports or case records of the alleged violent acts as claimed by Keishing, who represents the Phungyar constituency. Attempts to contact Keishing for further comments have been unsuccessful.

Selective Government Focus

Paolienlal Haokip, a BJP legislator, has indicated that if Keishing’s data is accurate, it suggests that the influx of refugees from conflict-affected Myanmar is most significant in the Ukhrul and Kamjong districts. He criticized the state government for allegedly focusing on Kuki-dominated villages while ignoring others.

Myanmar nationals living

Haokip could not confirm the data’s accuracy but stated that if it is true, it confirms a high number of refugees in these districts. He accused the government of revealing figures for a Kuki village while concealing data for Tangkhul villages, which reportedly house a large refugee population.

Keishing, in his letter, cited state government figures showing 5,457 refugees from Myanmar, with biometric data collected for 5,173. He urged the Chief Minister to avoid repeating the 1968 incident when 1,500 Kuki refugee families from Myanmar were granted permanent settlement in Manipur.

Another BJP legislator from Manipur, Rajkumar Imo Singh, reinforced the call for the deportation of all Myanmar nationals who have arrived in Manipur. He emphasized the government’s commitment to securing the state’s borders and protecting its citizens.

The Manipur government announced on May 8 the completion of the first phase of deporting Myanmar nationals without bias.

oncerns Regarding Myanmar Nationals Living in Manipur:

BJP legislators in Manipur express concerns about the influx of Myanmar nationals and urge government action to address the situation.

Claims of Discrimination Against Kuki-Zo Tribes

The Kuki-Zo tribes have long accused the Biren Singh administration of targeting them with specific policies, such as removing alleged forest encroachments and combating illegal opium farming. They claim there is a concerted effort by the state to label them as “illegal immigrants” from Myanmar, aiming to seize their lands.

Kuki-Zo community leaders and organizations have accused the state government of playing a role in the tensions between the predominantly valley-based Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribes, who mainly reside in the southern hill districts of Manipur and other regions.

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