Imphal, August 21, 2025: Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has stirred a major controversy after claiming that around 42,000 “illegal immigrants” from Myanmar have entered Manipur since December 2024. Taking to X, the BJP leader cited the Director General of Assam Rifles (DGAR) to back his claim, asserting that the paramilitary force had confirmed the entry of large numbers of foreigners and that their biometrics were being recorded.
However, the Assam Rifles’ official statement paints a different picture. According to the DGAR, approximately 42,000 individuals from Myanmar have crossed into India due to ongoing political and ethnic turmoil in their country. These people have been sheltered across North Eastern states, including Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. The force clarified that biometric and documentation processes are being carried out under the Free Movement Regime (FMR) to ensure due procedures.
The remarks by Biren Singh have drawn strong criticism from the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), which accused the former CM of “deliberately twisting facts” to propagate a narrative of “illegal immigrants” in Manipur. In a press release issued on Thursday, the KZC said Singh’s statement was not only misleading but also dangerous as it vilified the Kuki-Zo community and risked inflaming tensions in an already fragile situation.
“The fact is that these 42,000 persons are victims of war and persecution, not illegal immigrants as alleged by Biren Singh,” the Council stated, emphasizing that they had crossed the international border seeking refuge and safety.
The KZC also expressed regret over certain media outlets echoing Singh’s claims, accusing them of spreading misinformation and stigmatizing an entire community. It urged greater responsibility and fact-checking when reporting on such sensitive issues.
ALSO READ: Security Forces Arrest Multiple Insurgent Cadres in Manipur Crackdown
Reaffirming the Kuki-Zo people’s indigenous roots in Manipur, the Council said attempts to brand them as “outsiders” were discriminatory and politically motivated. It accused Singh of pursuing divisive politics during his tenure as Chief Minister.
As the debate escalates, Biren Singh faces growing backlash over what critics see as a politically charged attempt to reshape the refugee crisis into an immigration controversy, while security forces maintain a more humanitarian stance.
