Be alert to illegal immigration, says Manipur CM

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on January 23, 2025, advised the indigenous peoples of the State to be alert to the problem of illegal immigration from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday (January 23, 2025) advised the indigenous peoples of the State to be alert to the problem of illegal immigration from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The Chief Minister’s cautionary note was said to be linked to the Mahur-Tamenglong Road, which will connect Manipur with central Assam after completion. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the State is apprehensive of Bangladeshi people accessing this road.

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“There is a possibility of the immigrants entering Manipur if they escape detection in Assam,” Mr. Singh told presspersons in the State’s capital Imphal while citing the “Bangladeshi problem” being faced by Assam and Tripura since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government in the neighbouring country less than a year ago.

Manipur shares a border with Myanmar but not with Bangladesh.

“On the eastern front, we are facing illegal migration of people from Myanmar. On the western and southern sides, we are facing the problem of Bangladeshi immigrants. I appeal to all indigenous people to be careful,” he said.

While a foreigner needs the Protected Area Permit, any Indian living beyond the State has to possess an inner-line permit or ILP to enter Manipur. The ILP, an official travel document under a British-era law, allows an Indian citizen to be in Manipur for a limited period.