The Meitei Alliance, a global umbrella body representing Manipur’s Meitei community, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Manipur before initiating the delimitation process. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the organization emphasized that without addressing key security and demographic concerns first, the delimitation exercise could undermine ongoing peace efforts and destabilize the region further. Their demand comes amid growing concerns over alleged illegal immigration, which they argue has impacted the demographic balance and socio-political stability of the state.
The Meitei Alliance has expressed concern that the ongoing demographic shifts could lead to an imbalance that exacerbates ethnic tensions in the region. They argue that the issue of illegal immigration, particularly from neighboring Myanmar, has been a longstanding concern for Manipur. The alliance insists that the NRC exercise is essential to address these concerns before any boundary adjustments are made during delimitation.
Concerns over historical immigration patterns and illegal citizenship
The Supreme Court had recently directed the Centre to complete the delimitation exercise in four northeastern states, including Manipur, within three months. However, the Meitei Alliance insists that a contextualized NRC framework is essential to protect genuine citizens and ensure sustainable political stability. They cited historical records suggesting that illegal immigration has been an issue in Manipur since Independence.
The letter references a 1973 document in which then-MP P Haokip acknowledged the presence of 1,500 Kuki refugee families from Myanmar in Manipur since 1967. Another document from 1973 shows that the Burma Kuki Refugees’ Association had requested financial assistance and land for the refugees. The Centre had reportedly provided Rs 3.92 lakh at the time, equivalent to around Rs 23 lakh today.
Violation of the Indian Citizenship Act and its consequences
The Meitei Alliance argued that under the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, illegal immigrants cannot be granted Indian citizenship, yet many reportedly enjoy such privileges, including Scheduled Tribe (ST) benefits. This, they claim, not only violates constitutional provisions but also encourages further illegal immigration into the state. They emphasized the urgent need to update the NRC to rectify wrongful inclusions and protect the interests of indigenous communities.
The organization further alleged that the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur is not incidental but driven by vested interests seeking to prolong instability. They accused Kuki militant groups that have signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement of violating ground rules and fueling violence while enjoying impunity.
According to the Meitei Alliance, law and order cannot be restored until these groups are held accountable. The conflict between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes has been ongoing since May 2023, resulting in over 260 deaths and the displacement of nearly 50,000 people. While the Meiteis seek Scheduled Tribe status, the Kukis demand a separate administration.
