Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh reiterated that there is unnatural growth of 996 new villages in the state which is threatening both indigenous people and national security.
“Will anyone accept the unnatural growth of new villages and population, causing massive changes to the demography in their own state or country due to the influx of illegal immigrants?,” Biren Singh wrote on his X handle on Monday.
His statement echoed earlier assertions that the immigrants who have crossed the border illegally have settled in Reserved and Protected Forest areas after clearing vast tracts of trees and natural vegetation.
The illegal immigrants settled mostly in Churachandpur, Kamjong, Pherzawl, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi districts, he stated, adding that the number of villages in the hills has increased manifold since 2006.
Earlier, the government stated that the number of villages in Churachandpur alone has increased by 148. From 2006 to 2018, the number of villages in Churachandpur increased by 129 (new villages).
In Kangpokpi, the number of villages increased by 169 from 2006 to 2018. Likewise, in Chandel, from 2006 to 2018, the number of villages increased by 25.
We’re confronting a serious issue within our nation, especially in Manipur, where several new villages have emerged due to a massive influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar since 2006 till date.
During this period, massive forest cover has been destroyed to establish settlements as well as carry out poppy plantations, he continued.
