Gradual spike of Kuki MLAs down the decades pointed out JTC urges decisive action on unchecked immigration

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 4: Highlighting the alarming issue of unchecked illegal immigration in the region and its far-reaching consequences on the indigenous population, social security and demographic balance of Manipur, the Joint Tribes Council (JTC) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate and decisive action on unchecked illegal immigration  to the State of Manipur.
In recent years, Manipur has witnessed a growing influx of illegal migrants, both from the war-torn Myanmar and neighbouring Indian States where NRC exercise is being implemented, the JTC pointed out in a statement submitted to the Prime Minister. It said that the continuous inflow of illegal migrants has strained local resources and now poses a serious threat to the cultural identity, economic stability and traditional livelihoods of native indigenous communities in Manipur.
The situation is particularly critical along the major highways where new settlements have mushroomed unchecked.
Many of these settlements have links to mass deforestation for large scale poppy cultivation, the JTC said.
The memorandum asserted that several well- armed militant groups are known to protect these newly established villages.
These groups survive through illegal taxation of commercial vehicles plying on National Highways and by engaging in widespread poppy plantation on land belonging to the indigenous Naga people. Their activities threaten the environment, regional stability, public health and National security, it said. The JTC also pointed out that these groups have imposed restrictions on the movement of certain communities from the Imphal Valley along the National Highways.
They are now claiming ancestral Naga lands as their own and demanding a Separate Administration. Roads are being constructed without consent of the indigenous people to connect their settlements by linking inter-village routes that pass through Naga villages.
“Some of these routes have been renamed after their militant leaders such as ‘Tiger’ and ‘German’, installing unauthorised check gates near our villages, restricting movements. As a result, indigenous communities now live in fear and uncertainty. Despite being rightful landowners, we increasingly feel as though we may become refugees in our own homeland”, the JTC conveyed to the Prime Minister.
The memorandum said that the Kuki population of  Manipur jumped from just 79,919 in 1951 to 4,48,214  in 2011, showing an overall growth rate of 460.7 per cent in six decades and average decadal growth rate of 34.72 per cent.  
With the multiplication of the Kuki population, the number of Kuki legislators rose from just one in 1952-57 to 10 in 2025, it said.
There was only one Kuki MLA against seven Naga MLAs in 1952-57; one Kuki MLA against four Naga MLAs in 1957-62; one Kuki MLA against eight Naga MLAs in 1962-67; six Kuki-Chin MLAs against 13 Naga MLAs in 1972-73; eight Kuki MLAs against 12 Naga MLAs in 1974-79 and nine Kuki MLAs against 10 Naga MLAs in 1980-85.
Now (2025), the number of Kuki-Chin MLAs has equalled the number of Naga legislators. Both the communities now have 10 MLAs each.
Identifying and deporting illegal immigrants, dismantling unlawful settlements particularly those involved in poppy cultivation and  neutralising armed militant groups are critical steps to restore peace, order and a sense of security, the JTC asserted.
The JTC urged the Prime Minister to prioritize the issue and initiate necessary measures to safeguard the demographic landscape and ensure the dignity, security and well-being of all indigenous communities of Manipur.
The memorandum was jointly signed by JTC convenor-cum-Inpui Naga Union president, Zeme Naga Council president, Rongmei Naga Council president and Liangmai Naga Council president.
A copy of the same memorandum has also been     submitted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.