Imphal: BJP Rajya Sabha member Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba on Thursday urged the Government of India to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur to identify and deport illegal immigrants, citing concerns over the state’s growing demographic imbalance.
Leishemba raised the issue during the Zero Hour in the Upper House, emphasizing the critical situation in the state, where the increasing number of villages in certain districts has sparked concerns about illegal immigration. He pointed out that between 1969 and 2024, there has been an abnormal increase in the number of villages in districts such as Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl, with the number rising from 731 to 1,624 — a 122% increase over 50 years. In contrast, Naga-dominated areas have seen a far more modest increase, from 527 to 576 villages, a mere 9% growth.
The BJP MP highlighted the role of illegal immigrants, particularly those taking advantage of the porous Indo-Myanmar border, in influencing electoral politics and disrupting the socio-political stability of the state. Leishemba argued that before any alterations, such as the delimitation of constituencies, are made, the identification of illegal immigrants should be a priority.
Leishemba proposed that the Government of India adopt NRC with a base year of 1951 to detect and deport illegal immigrants, ensuring the protection of the indigenous population and preserving the integrity of Manipur’s demographic structure. He stressed that this is the only logical solution to prevent further demographic imbalances and safeguard the rights of the state’s indigenous people.
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