No step taken deport illegal immigrants in Manipur: CSO

A civil society organization in Manipur on Saturday alleged that no step was taken up by the state government to implement the Union ministry of home affairs’ directive to identify and deport illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh and Myanmar, within a 30-day deadline.
On May 19 last, the MHA) had issued directives to all states and Union Territories to identify and deport illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh and Myanmar, within a 30-day deadline.
This initiative involves setting up special task forces in each district to detect, identify, and detain suspected illegal migrants. The MHA had emphasized the need for a swift and efficient deportation process, including the verification of claims of Indian citizenship.
Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MTU) today alleged that no steps to implement the directive of the MHA were seen taken up in the state so far.
Addressing a news conference in Imphal today, MTU general secretary Mutum Churamani alleged that there was no sign of translating the MHA’s directive into action by the state administration under President’s Rule (PR).
He said that there were reports steps taken to implement the directive of the MHA in other states of the country, particularly in northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Tripura.
He said that all are aware of a large number of illegal immigrants, particularly from Myanmar, in the state, adding that it is very unfortunate that the state administration under PR has taken up no step to implement the directive of the MHA so far.
He informed that the MTU has submitted memorandums to the President of India, Prime Minister, Union home minister and the Governor of Manipur on June 13).
In the memorandums, the MTU highlighted the large scale influx of foreigners from Myanmar through the porous Indo-Myanmar border, he said. He said identification of illegal immigrants and initiating steps to deport them to their countries was very much important in the context of Manipur, while stressing on the need for checking demographic imbalance to protect the indigenous communities of the land.
The MTU general secretary also reiterated its demand for restoration of ST status for the Meitei community while stressing the need for having a constitutional safeguard for the community.
He emphasized the socio-economic, political, and cultural vulnerabilities of the Meetei community, who they said are indigenous to Manipur but have been increasingly marginalized since the state’s merger with India in 1949. With approximately 13 lakh Meeteis confined to just 700 square miles of valley land, surrounded by protected hill areas, the community is facing mounting displacement and systemic neglect, he alleged.
Referring to Article 342(1) of the Constitution, he asserted that ST status is essential to safeguard the Meeteis from further decline. He cautioned against letting the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state, particularly tensions with the Kuki community, stall the constitutional process.
The indigenous communities of the land, particularly the Meitei community, needed constitutional protection for the protection of the integrity of Manipur, he observed, and appealed to the Manipur Governor to recommend the inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the scheduled tribe (ST) list under the Constitution of India.
He urged the Governor-in-Council to act on the March 27, 2023 directive of the Manipur High Court, which had instructed the state government to submit a recommendation to the Centre.
Over a year has passed without any action, the general secretary said, highlighting that the Governor, under Article 159 of the Constitution, holds the authority to address such matters during President’s Rule.