Fringe elements trying to discredit govt’s efforts: Biren

Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Sunday alleged that fringe elements disguised as politicians trying to discredit the government’s efforts to identify illegal immigrants in Manipur.
In a statement posted on his social media handles, Singh wrote “In the midst of fringe elements disguised as politicians trying to discredit the efforts of our government with regard to illegal immigrants, it is necessary to put facts on record.”
He stated that the Centre was clear and serious on identifying illegal immigrants.
The Union ministry of home affairs, through its letter dated 28 September 2023, directed biometric and biographic data collection and even extended the timeline till March 31 2024 to ensure proper verification and deportation.
“This letter was issued even after the May 3rd 2023 incident, clearly indicating the seriousness of the Government of India on addressing illegal migration in the state,” he claimed.
“There was no confusion. There was a defined, time bound process already in motion,” he added.
The groundwork was already visible on the ground, with 5,457 illegal immigrants detected in Kamjong district, 2,480 identified by the Cabinet Sub Committee across Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur and Kamjong.
And even earlier, on June 28, 2022, police in Churachandpur district had detained 80 Myanmar nationals including 20 children.
“But the painful truth is this,” he remarked before adding that “at a time when we needed unity the most, vested interest groups who saw instability as an opportunity ended up sabotaging these efforts.” “Instead of standing together to protect our land and our future, the process was weakened at a crucial moment,” he stated.
Calling that those raising questions must reflect on that, the former chief minister said, “This issue is bigger than politics. It is about our people, our identity, and the future of Manipur.”
The issue of illegal immigrants in Manipur, primarily from Myanmar, is a central point of contention in the state’s ongoing violence crisis.
The unrest situation remains highly volatile as various civil society pressure groups, particularly Meitei and Naga based ones are steadfast to their call for government-led deportation efforts and updation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in respect of Manipur. N Biren Singh resigned as the chief minister of Manipur on February 9, 2025, amid intense ethnic violence and rising political pressure, including a pending no-confidence motion from the opposition.
His resignation followed nearly two years of instability and increased internal dissent within the BJP. While posting the statement with related documents, the former chief minister called for cessation of violence while detection of illegal immigrants from the state will achieve its goal if the people stand united.
He further urged joining hands together to press the Centre to extend the timeline for detection of illegal immigrants from the state.