In the Rajya Sabha, Member of Parliament Leishemba Sanajaoba raised a critical issue concerning the delimitation of electoral constituencies in Manipur. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue of illegal immigration before any alterations are made to the existing constituencies.
Sanajaoba pointed out that the ongoing law and order situation in the state made it unsuitable to proceed with any delimitation process at this time. He highlighted the concerning and disproportionate growth of villages in certain districts of Manipur, such as Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl, which have seen an increase from 731 villages in 1969 to 1,624 villages in 2024, a staggering 122% rise. In contrast, Naga-inhabited areas have witnessed only a modest 9% growth in the number of villages, from 527 to 576.
Sanajaoba linked this sudden and abnormal growth to illegal immigration, claiming that such activities could disrupt the political landscape of the state. The MP strongly urged the Government of India to prioritize the detection of illegal immigrants before proceeding with any electoral changes, including the delimitation of constituencies.
He proposed the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), with a base year of 1951, to identify and deport illegal immigrants. He warned that without addressing this issue first, the proposed delimitation could lead to a significant demographic imbalance in Manipur, putting the indigenous population at risk of political marginalization and threatening their future in their own homeland.
