Content area
Full Text
Imphal, Feb. 6 -- Illegal migrants from Bangladesh have become the majority in Jiribam (a district in Imphal east) while the indigenous people have been reduced to a minority due to non-implementation of the Foreigners (Protected Area) Act 1958 and Inner Line Permit and a State Government which has been unable to identify illegal migrants for deportation.
This was disclosed during a field visit of Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies (FREINDS) in which media persons also took part. The visit was from January 31 to February 2. Illegal migrants from Bangladesh, Bengalis from other parts of the country are dominating the area at a fast pace.
The team visited places like Durgapur, Borobekra and Shotobekra. All were full of Bangladesh Muslims, Bengalis and Bishnupriyas. Not a single indigenous person was found. in the said villages. Lands owned by Meitei in Laimatai,Latingkhal and Borobekra have not been taken over by the illegal migrants. Unfortunately, AR troops on the way to the villages along the Jiribam Tipaimukh road detained the media persons even after they knew their identities and resorted to many insensible queries.
A villager of Jakurador, a nearby village told that the Meetei who used to live in the villages often quarreled with the illegal migrants from Bangladesh in connection with land issues. As the number of Bangladeshis increased, the migrants even snatched away many lands belonging to the Meeteis. They even drove out officials of the state government who came to conduct survey work to resolve the matter. AR posted there takes the side of the foreigners.