Biren Singh Using Paper Trails to Drive Unfounded Narrative of Illegal Immigration Changing Manipur's Demography Is Hogwash at Best, Says Paolienlal Haokip

Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip said that the former Chief Minister's use of paper trails to drive an unfounded narrative of illegal immigration changing the demography of the state is "hogwash at best."

Paolienlal made the statement in response to a recent social media post by N. Biren Singh regarding the sharp proliferation of new settlements in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. He was speaking on the sidelines of the World Environment Day celebration held at Siden Village in Churachandpur on Friday.

The Saikot MLA said that the claim about a disproportionate increase in the number of villages in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur, often raised by former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, is a narrative built with ill intent.

Paolienlal said there had been some increase following the 1992 Kuki-Naga conflict. Many Kuki villages from the interior areas of Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts either established new settlements in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur or relocated there, which is one factor contributing to the increase in the number of villages in the two districts.

He further stated that another factor was the misuse of Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-GRAMG), formerly known as MGNREGA. In collusion with officials, unscrupulous individuals allegedly created villages on paper to siphon off funds meant for the scheme.

"Those are not substantive villages. Those are not actual settlements, but villages that exist only on paper. It was because of weaknesses in the government system that such issues cropped up," Paolienlal added.