IMPHAL — In a powerful political endorsement, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has thrown his weight behind Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba’s impassioned plea for the immediate detection, identification, and deportation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Singh’s statement, made in an X post on Monday evening, underscored the issue’s critical importance to the state’s security and demographic stability. He lauded Sanajaoba for his courage in raising the matter in Parliament, highlighting the MP’s vocal stand while other political leaders remained silent.
Sanajaoba had earlier in the House cautioned that conducting a census before addressing the illegal immigrant issue would be a “very unfortunate” development for Manipur, potentially triggering social unrest and infringing upon the constitutional rights of indigenous people.
The MP’s remarks also brought to light an alleged lack of concrete action from the state government, despite a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs to identify and deport illegal immigrants within one month from May 19, 2025.
Sanajaoba further pointed to what he called “controversial” census reports from 2001 and 2011, citing an “extraordinary quantum jump” in population in three sub-divisions of Senapati district, which he alleged was a result of the unchecked influx of illegal immigrants. Singh’s public backing of the MP’s concerns is seen as a significant move, amplifying a debate that is central to the preservation of Manipur’s unique identity and future.
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