We had all along been saying that Kuki-Chin migration from the border would become a major problem in Manipur. And, for lack of proper policy on cross-border migration, a make-or-break situation has come in the state today.
This Kuki-Chin migration was one of major concerns of anti-foreigners movement in the 80s.
Now, these newcomers have taken over the political space after usurping the indigenous Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups already settled in the state.
Therein lies the genesis of the violent objection to the three bills and the rejection of 1951 as base year for implementation of Inner Line Permit.
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The Citizen’s Committee Manipur (CCM) had made an appeal some time ago, for treating Myanmar refugees humanely.
Mizoram state has a humane and procedural response to Myanmar refugees who crossed over after the recent military clampdown, despite lack of official and logistics support from the Centre.
In Mizoram, the refugees are accounted for and rehabilitated in camps set up by the state government and voluntary organisations and the state is bearing the costs for the refugee camps set up across the state while Manipur adopts a different approach.
Manipur’s approach is hostile and full of barriers.
It seems the state government had been unofficially given a signal to shun these refugees and thwart attempts to enter the country.
One may try to explain the difference in approach between the two states, as most of the Myanmar refugees are people having close ethnic affinities with those in Mizoram. We beg to differ on that.
The ruling MNF government in Mizoram is an ally of the BJP regime at the Centre, but the government there do not allow the BJP to dictate terms to them.
In fact, there was a huge outcry in Mizoram in recent times when it became known that a Myanmar pop star Benjamin Sum of Chin origin who had crossed over had acquired an Aadhar.
Most countries have a refugee problem and what is more important in such situations is regulating the flow of refugees under the watchful eyes of the government agencies.
If the state is hostile to refugees, they will simply resort to covert infiltration and try to mix with the general population having close ethnic affiliations.
This is exactly what has happened in Manipur and it became the genesis of the 2017 riots in Churachandpur against the three ILP bills and the present situation.
In recent times, Myanmar refugees crossing over to the Indian territory to escape the onslaught of military rulers has become a cause of concern.
Even before the present crisis, the United Naga Council and Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) came out together and expressed their commitment to fight the issue of illegal migration.
Considering it a major reason for creating a demographic imbalance in the state and a threat to indigenous population, COCOMI and UNC has demanded the adoption of a resolution to set up the state population commission and updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in respect of the state of Manipur with a fixed cut-off base year to identify illegal immigrants.
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Then came the reports of the lungi brigade.
Reports of Myanmar armed illegals engaging in the present crisis in the state have surfaced and yet the Indian intelligence agencies are immune to such reports.
Is this a vindication of the allegations that anti-Junta forces are being trained and armed by Indian agencies or otherwise?
Well of course, the agencies might have been tempted by the in view of ‘support’ Manipur based insurgents are getting from the regime in Myanmar. But, they must also realise that some lungi-clad armed Kuki rebels are attacking Indian citizens all over the state.
Check that out with a report in the national channel of truckloads of illegal arms reaching Manipur from across the border.
In the turn of events, we wonder if the lungi brigade is looking to establish a base area for operating across the border against the Myanmar forces. What does the Indian establishment have to say on this. Hello! Anybody listening?
Must Read: The lungi brigade
Read More: IFP Editorial
