Manipur Guv asks people not to allow illegal settlements

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Saturday urged the people of Churachandpur not to allow illegal settlements of “people beyond the borders”, assuring that the government was committed to taking firm measures against such challenges.

Speaking at a public meeting in Churachandpur, held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhalla expressed confidence that Manipur would emerge more resilient and prosperous with sustained efforts for peace and development.

“We cannot allow our land to be encroached and illegally occupied by people from beyond the borders. Both the state and the Centre are committed to taking effective steps to address this challenge,” Bhalla said.

The Governor highlighted that a three-phase resettlement plan had been formulated to rehabilitate those displaced by the ethnic violence. He said additional security personnel and quick response teams (QRTs) had been deployed to ensure stability and safety.

Bhalla was referring to movement to and from Manipur of people from neighbouring Myanmar, which had also led to the influx of several illegal immigrants into the country. To combat the entry of illegal immigrants from the neighbouring nation, the Centre had last year announced that it would scrap the free movement regime (FMR) along Myanmar border. It was, however, not done after several ethnic groups in Manipur had vehemently opposed the announcement. The FMR, though, has been made more stringent with people coming from across the border into the Indian territory and vice versa being issued passes with biometric details.