Imphal: The Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMTU) has alleged large-scale irregularities in the rehabilitation of Kuki refugees who entered Manipur from Burma, now Myanmar, in the late 1960s, claiming that official records were manipulated and government benefits were obtained through fraudulent means.

The allegations were detailed in an investigative report released by the MMTU. Speaking at the Manipur Press Club on October 7, Prof K Jugindro, chairman of the MMTU Research and Development Cell and former acting vice-chancellor of Manipur University, said the alleged influx took place between October 25, 1967, and February 18, 1968, when Manipur was under President’s Rule.

According to the report, the MMTU alleges that the situation was exploited by influential Kuki figures and officials during the administration headed by Chief Commissioner Baleswar Prasad.

The organisation further claimed that shortly after President’s Rule was imposed, around 300 Kuki chiefs created unrest in Imphal and destroyed printed copies of the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, 1967, published in the Manipur Gazette.

The MMTU alleged that the destruction was intended to obstruct the abolition of hereditary chieftainships and delay the implementation of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960, in the hill areas. The organisation said it has recently obtained a copy of the 1967 legislation from the National Archives and is now seeking its implementation.

Claims over refugee rehabilitation

Prof Jugindro said around 1,500 Kuki families entered Manipur during the period, reportedly fleeing the Burmese Army.

According to the MMTU report, the Union Home Ministry initially sanctioned Rs 3,62,500 in March 1968 for the permanent rehabilitation of 500 verified families, with assistance calculated at Rs 735 per family. The rehabilitation programme was reportedly implemented by then Deputy Commissioner SC Vaish across Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Ukhrul and Sadar Hills.

The MMTU alleged that the scale of the rehabilitation programme later expanded following political lobbying. By 1973, the Burma Kuki Refugee Association had reportedly sought additional financial assistance from the Centre, after which allocations were made for 1,509 families, including land, Scheduled Tribe status and government loans.

The organisation further alleged that a forged letter was used to facilitate the expansion of the rehabilitation benefits. According to the MMTU, the document falsely claimed that immigrants entering India by land from Burma would be treated as repatriates and would qualify for housing and business loans.

The MMTU said this contradicted the then-existing Government of India provisions, which recognised Burma repatriates arriving through air or sea routes with identification issued by the Indian Embassy in Rangoon. It also claimed that the prescribed housing assistance was limited to a one-time grant of Rs 2,250.

The organisation said the Ministry of Rehabilitation subsequently clarified that the 1967 document was fraudulent and that undocumented arrivals could not be treated as legitimate repatriates.

MMTU demands review of benefits

The MMTU alleged that political efforts to secure rehabilitation assistance continued in subsequent years, including lobbying in 1982. It claimed to possess records relating to the alleged destruction of the disputed 1967 letter in 1974, along with documents concerning financial assistance provided to the beneficiaries.

Prof Jugindro further alleged that the migrants did not possess Foreigner Registration Certificates or Emergency Certificates issued by the Indian Embassy in Rangoon, and therefore questioned the legality of subsequent citizenship and Scheduled Tribe certificates issued to them.

The MMTU has demanded the review and cancellation of ST status allegedly obtained by the 1,500 refugee families and their descendants, recovery of land and financial assistance it claims were allocated improperly, and deportation of those it alleges entered India illegally.

The organisation said these measures were necessary, in its view, to address what it described as longstanding demographic and documentation concerns in Manipur and facilitate the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The allegations and historical claims made by the MMTU could not be independently verified. The legal status of citizenship, land ownership and ST certificates would require examination of official records and applicable laws.