After seven student bodies in Manipur submitted a memorandum to the prime minister demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizenship (NRC), 19 civil voluntary organisations belonging to various communities in Manipur have also submitted a similar memorandum to the prime minister, Union home minister, state governor and Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
In the memorandum, they have demanded for the implementation of the NRC in the state at the earliest and to open centres of operation for detection and deportation of foreigners.
The organisations included the Federation of Haomi,; Kabui Union, Manipur; Mao Council, Manipur; Tarao Tribe Union, Manipur; Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, Manipur; Chiru Union NEI, Manipur; Zeme Naga Council, Manipur; Lamkang Tribe Union, Manipur; Kom Union Manipur; Chothe Tribe Union, Manipur; Maring Uparap Assembly, Manipur; Maram Union, Manipur; Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur; Khoibu Tribe Union; Mayon Naga Council, Manipur; Thangal Union, Manipur; Thangal Union, Manipur; Aimol Tribe Union, Manipur; Anal Chief’s Association and the Inpui Naga Union, Manipur.
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The organisations expressed utmost gratitude to the Union government for the extension of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation - 1873 in Manipur. However, the organisations stated that not giving the definition of indigenous in the regulation has been a stumbling block in addressing migrants’ issues effectively. In view of it, there is a need for implementation of the National Register of Citizenship (NRC), they added.
The memorandum recalled that the Pass Permit/Permit System was abolished on November 18, 1950 by the then Chief Commissioner Himmat Singh. As Manipur is a border state where there is intrusion of immigrants from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal by far and had autonomously settled at large since the abolition of the said system. On this issue, no discerning step had been taken up for the last 75 years under the Foreigners Act 1946. Because of this continuous overflow of influxes, it has led to capturing the socio-economic and political rights of the indigenous people by migrants, the 19 organisations stated in the memorandum.
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There was a movement of foreigner issue, which demanded for Detection & Deportation of Foreigners from Manipur and an agreement was also signed between the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) and the All Manipur Coordinating Committee (AMSCOC) in 1980 and 1994 in this regard, they stated.
However, not a single step has been taken up since date, they said, adding that the foreigners are a great threat to the indigenous people of Manipur and as whole in respect of India too from a long time. As such, the government of India should open up a centre of operation for Detection & Deportation of foreigners immediately, they demanded.
