Thu Dec 04 20:58:25 UTC 2025: News Article:

Manipur Faces “Existential Crisis” Due to Deforestation and Illegal Migration

Guwahati, December 5, 2025 (The Hindu e-Paper) – Former Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh has warned of an “existential crisis” facing the state due to widespread deforestation for poppy cultivation, while the Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTCM) petitions Prime Minister Modi about the impact of unchecked illegal migration.

Singh shared a video on social media allegedly showing poppy plantations in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, highlighting the connection between deforestation and recurring floods. He criticized the lack of action from forest officials and suggested the involvement of armed militants in these illicit activities.

The JTCM, representing the Naga population, echoed these concerns in a memorandum to the Prime Minister, stressing the strain illegal migration from Myanmar and other Indian states is putting on Manipur’s resources and its impact on the indigenous population, social security, and demographic balance. The organization alleges the establishment of new settlements along major highways, linked to deforestation and poppy cultivation, are protected by armed militant groups.

The JTCM further claimed that migrants are asserting claims to ancestral Naga lands and demanding separate administration. Citing a significant increase in Manipur’s Kuki population between 1951 and 2011, the JTCM has urged the central government to identify and deport illegal migrants, dismantle unlawful settlements, remove armed militant groups, and restore peace in the region. They have requested that the Prime Minister prioritize this matter to safeguard the demographic landscape and ensure the well-being of all indigenous communities in Manipur.

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