Meitei Bodies Demand NRC Implementation To Combat Illegal Immigration In Manipur

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which is composed of various civil society organisations in Imphal, has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur.

The aim is to identify illegal immigrants involved in narcotics trade, as per the report by a news wire agency.

In a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister, COCOMI has also expressed its opposition to the establishment of a separate administration for the Kukis, as demanded by some state MLAs and others.

According to the memorandum, the central government should take necessary measures to identify and either confine or deport foreign elements, including certain leaders of the Kuki-Zomi Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups who are of foreign origin, back to Myanmar.

The SoO agreement, which involves the Centre, the Manipur government, and two conglomerates of Kuki terrorist outfits (Kuki National Organisations and United Peoples Front), was initially signed in 2008 and has been extended periodically.

The COCOMI expressed concern that any alteration to the territorial integrity and administration of Manipur would have detrimental effects on small tribal communities, who are already marginalised. They emphasised the importance of preserving the current system to avoid further harm.

In response to the violent clashes between the Meiteis and tribals, 10 tribal MLAs from the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group in Manipur have appealed to the Centre for the creation of a separate administration for their community. They believe that this would help address the ongoing tensions.

A memorandum stated the need to implement the NRC in Manipur with 1951 as the base year in order to identify and address the issue of illegal immigrants. The intention is to prevent these individuals from becoming citizens, while still allowing them to stay as guests if necessary, without engaging in destructive politics.

The COCOMI announced its decision to boycott the Manipur government due to its failure to convene an emergency session of the assembly and its inadequate handling of the ongoing unrest in the state. These resolutions were adopted during a rally held on 29 July in Imphal.

The ongoing strife in certain areas of the state is believed to be a result of simmering tension over deforestation, illegal opium poppy cultivation, and changes in demography caused by illegal immigrants from Myanmar. This was stated in the memorandum.

Since 3 May, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts of Manipur to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, there have been over 160 deaths and several hundreds injured due to ethnic clashes.

Manipur's population is comprised of Meiteis, who make up approximately 53 per cent reside mainly in the Imphal Valley, and the Nagas and Kukis, who constitute a little over 40 per cent and live in the hill districts.