Will deport post-1961 immigrants: Manipur CM N Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that individuals who arrived and set up residence in the state after 1961 would be identified and deported. This comes in the backdrop of the ethnic violence which has been ravaging Manipur since May 9 last year and the indigenous communities seeking safeguards.

Speaking at a community development programme on Monday, Singh said, "We are passing through troubled times. The crisis we are facing today is one of struggle for existence, survival, and identity. The properties and identity, inherited over centuries, have now become insecure due to the lack of vision of certain politicians. Our generation is insecure today, so the government is working to make your future secure."

He said the government's measures, such as erecting fences and revoking the free movement regime (FMR), were aimed at guaranteeing a secure future, thereby curbing rampant illegal immigration and illicit activities like drug trade and weapons trafficking.


The Manipur cabinet had, in June 2022, approved a proposal to adopt 1961 as the base year for determining the 'native status' of residents of the state for effective implementation of the inner line permit.