Illegal Immigration and Fake Identity Rackets in Manipur: A National Security Threat

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 1^st July. In a recent crackdown on illegal immigration and identity fraud, a police official disclosed that illegal immigrants often fabricate their addresses based on instructions from criminal racketeers. Southern Manipur has become the focal point of the state government’s efforts to apprehend these immigrants who possess counterfeit identity documents, including Aadhaar and voter IDs. The government sees this issue as a significant threat to national security, extending beyond Manipur’s borders.

The Investigation and Arrests

A specialized team from the Manipur police has been diligently tracking this illicit operation. Their efforts have led to the arrest of multiple individuals involved in the racket. Among the recent arrests are two illegal infiltrators from Myanmar, who were residing in the Churachandpur district of Manipur. These individuals were found in possession of fake Aadhaar and voter ID cards, which they were using to establish their identity unlawfully within India.

Recording Biometrics of Myanmar Refugees

The state has been recording the biometrics of Myanmar refugees fleeing violence between junta forces and pro-democracy militants. However, those who evade these efforts turn to illegal Aadhaar card gangs for fake documents. Authorities are actively combating these identity fraud rings and illegal immigration.

Arrests and Seizures in Recent Years

The battle against fake identity rackets and illegal immigrants has seen significant actions in recent years:

• 2018:Ten individuals were arrested for their involvement in two fake Aadhaar card rackets operating in the border towns of Jiribam and Moreh. Among them were nine illegal immigrants from Myanmar and an Indian woman, Paritha Begum from Tamil Nadu. The police raided Mohammad Tomba’s house in Moreh, seizing laptops, Aadhaar cards, a printer, laminating film, plastic sheets, DVDs, and photo paper.
• May 2018:Around 98 illegal immigrants with fake Aadhaar cards were arrested in Imphal City.
• October 2021:Assam Rifles troops apprehended 24 Burmese illegal immigrants with counterfeit Aadhaar cards along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district. This incident occurred about a week after 11 Myanmar nationals were caught at Imphal Airport attempting to board a Delhi-bound flight with forged Aadhaar cards.
• Last Year:In a span of just two days, over 700 illegal immigrants, including 301 children from Myanmar, entered Manipur.

Government Measures Against Fake Identity Documents

The surge in fake Aadhaar cards and voter IDs in Manipur has posed a dual threat to national security and the integrity of the electoral process. The Indian government and its agencies have intensified their efforts to tackle this menace. Measures include:

• Enhanced Surveillance: Increased border patrols and biometric recordings to track and prevent illegal entries.
• Crackdown on Racketeers: Raids and arrests of individuals involved in producing and distributing counterfeit identity documents.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating citizens about the dangers of identity fraud and the importance of reporting suspicious activities.
• Collaboration with Border States: Working closely with neighboring states and national agencies to create a unified response to the issue.

Aadhaar card verification process has been made more rigorous by the UIDAI

 

The Aadhaar card verification process has been made more rigorous by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). To verify the legitimacy of the issued IDs, enhanced biometric authentication and cross-referencing with other government databases are employed. Notably, a number of government organizations are working together to address the problem, including the Election Commission of India (ECI), UIDAI, and regional law enforcement.

Push for the establishment of the National Register of Citizens (NRC)

 

In order to detect illegal immigrants, the government has also been pushing for the establishment of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Additionally, the government’s attempts to control illegal immigration include the construction of detention facilities. The Manipur government has been reported by OpIndia to be deporting illegal immigrants from these kinds of prison facilities. The Manipur government declared on May 8th of this year that the first round of illegal immigrants’ deportations from Myanmar had been completed “without any discrimination.”

Through the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Moreh, the Manipur government deported 38 illegal immigrants who were from Myanmar in June of this year.

 

Problems in Manipur and the Kuki-Chin population inflow

The problem in Manipur started with a flood of Chin-Kuki refugees from neighboring Myanmar in August of last year, when the military government there began a crackdown on insurgents in 2021, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha. There are concerns about a potential demographic shift in the region due to the influx of illegal immigrants in Manipur.

Amit Shah has often emphasized the value of having discussions with the parties involved—Kukis and Meteis—in order to address disagreements. But in April, the Home Minister made it plain that the state “would not be allowed to break apart under any circumstances,” implying that there would not be a separate Kuki-Zo dominant Union Territory.

The Kuki-Zo community continues to advocate for its own UT demand. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) has written to Amit Shah to request that the Kuki-Zo tribal people be given their own union area.

Conclusion

The busting of this counterfeit identity card racket in Manipur highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Indian authorities in maintaining the integrity of identification systems. As the investigation continues, it is imperative for the government to take swift and decisive action to address the loopholes exploited by such rackets. The authorities continue to adapt and strengthen their strategies to combat the evolving tactics of illegal immigrants and identity fraudsters. Ensuring the security of identity documents is crucial for the nation’s security and the proper functioning of its democratic institutions.