Think Tank discuss on Manipur Population, Illegal Immigrants

Imphal: Lenin Singh Hijam, Ld. Advocate General, Manipur has appealed experts panel to diagnose wrong information instilled in books which affects the existence of Manipur state and the concern of national security.

Hijam was speaking at the inaugural function of the First Consultative Meeting with the Think Tank (panel of experts) held at Hotel Imphal, here on Monday. The programme was organised by Manipur State Population Commission.

He said the Government of India, at the time of the Merger, published a White Paper on the Indian States in 1950. It clearly mentioned about the size and the population of Manipur. “Now, after more than 70 years of neglecting and forgetting the official publication, different groups and some so-called experts have instilled wrong information in books and others which affects the existence of the state and the concern of national security”.

He appealed the panel of experts to diagnose and solve the problems before coming to a conclusion.

Commissioner (Home), T. Ranjit Singh said the Manipur State Population Commission was set up on 17th February, 2023. To look into the issue of illegal immigrants in the state, the government constituted a Cabinet sub- committee comprising of three ministers on February 16. Verification drive of the illegal immigrants were conducted in the five districts bordering Myanmar. “Within a short period, more than two thousand illegal immigrants were identified and steps had been taken up by the government to provide shelter to these migrants on humanitarian ground”.

Regarding the population in the state, he mentioned that there is a sudden increase in the population of certain groups within the last 130 years. According to 1881 census, the Meitei population was about 1 lakh 30 thousand which had increased to 12 lakh 50 thousand in 2011 census, while the Naga population has increased from 60 thousand in 1881 census to 6.04 lakhs in 2011 census. “On the other hand, the population of Kuki -Mizo population which was only 17 thousand in 1881 census, has risen to 4.48 lakh in 2011 census”.

He expressed his view that the Panel of Experts Meeting organised by Manipur State Population Commission will bring a very good, workable, fruitful and realistic proposal to the Government after thorough discussion.

The programme was also attended by Bobby Waikhom, secretary to governor, Dr. Moirangthem Manimohan Meetei, state population commissioner and Dr. M.Veto Singh, secretary, MSPC. Experts and intellectuals from various fields and departments participated in the consultative sessions.