Imphal, April 29, 2026: N. Biren Singh, former Chief Minister of Manipur, has stated that the ongoing situation in the state should not be interpreted as a conflict among indigenous communities but rather as an issue linked to illegal infiltration across international borders.
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| Former Chief Minister of Manipur N. Bireng Singh. (File Photo) |
In a statement shared on social media, Singh said Manipur has historically been a land of coexistence where recognised Scheduled Tribes, Meitei, Meitei Pangal, and people from other parts of India have lived together with mutual respect and harmony.
He stressed that the challenge before the state is to safeguard its demographic balance, land rights, and security in a lawful and measured manner. According to him, once the issue of undocumented infiltration is addressed through due process, many of the present tensions are expected to subside.
Singh also assured people from other parts of India who have settled in Manipur that they need not feel apprehensive, noting that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system provides a legal framework regulating entry and residence in the state.
The former Chief Minister also shared the list of Scheduled Tribes in Manipur, which includes: Aimol, Anal, Angami, Chiru, Chothe, Gangte, Hmar, Kabui, Inpui, Rongmei, Kacha Naga, Liangmai, Zeme, Koireng, Thangal, Koirao, Kom, Lamgang, Mao, Maram, Maring, Any Mizo (Lushai) tribes, Monsang, Moyon, Paite, Purum, Ralte, Sema, Simte, Sukhte, Tangkhul, Thadou, Vaiphei, Zou, Poumai Naga, Tarao, Kharam, Any Kuki tribes, Mate
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He noted that the state government has recommended to the Government of India the delisting of “Any Kuki tribes” from the Scheduled Tribe list.
Singh further stated that communities from across India—such as Marwari, Jain, Gujarati, Gorkha, Tamil, Bengali, and Punjabi communities—have long been part of Manipur’s social fabric and continue to live and work peacefully in the state under existing laws.
