'Resonates Deeply With Us': Manipur Leaders Welcome Centre's Panel To Check Demographic Shifts

Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and his predecessor N Biren Singh have called the Centre's move to form a committee for looking into demographic changes in the country a "historic" and "landmark" decision.

The chief minister in a post on X said that for border states like Manipur, concerns over illegal immigration and abnormal demographic changes have long been significant. "The government of Manipur will extend its fullest cooperation to the committee," Khemchand Singh said.

I warmly welcome the Government of India's decision to constitute a High-Level Committee to study demographic change in the country. This landmark initiative under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji and HM Shri @AmitShah Ji reflects a strong commitment to national…

— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) May 27, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday announced the formation of the committee to assess demographic changes across India due to "illegal immigration and other unnatural causes" and suggest measures to address these challenges.

In a message on X in Hindi, he said infiltration and other reasons are causing "unnatural" demographic change, which poses a significant challenge to the present and future of any nation.

घुसपैठ और अन्य कारणों से Unnatural Demographic Change किसी भी राष्ट्र के वर्तमान व भविष्य के लिए एक बहुत बड़ी चुनौती है।

इसी चुनौती से निपटने के लिए 15 अगस्त 2025 को प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi जी ने 'High-Level Committee on Demographic Change' की घोषणा की थी। मुझे बताते हुए हर्ष…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 26, 2026

Manipur's previous chief minister, Biren Singh, alluding to the situation in the state following the breakout of ethnic violence in May 2023, said the Centre's announcement "resonates deeply with many of us, particularly those from states like Manipur that have witnessed and endured the far reaching consequences of illegal immigration and demographic shifts."

"This move carries significant importance for the nation as a whole, and especially for northeastern states like Assam and Manipur, where such issues have long term implications for identity, security and social stability. Grateful for this timely and farsighted initiative that reflects both concern and commitment towards safeguarding the nation's future," he said.

Strong nations are built when leadership walks the talk.

Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji continue to demonstrate exactly that through decisive governance rooted in action.

I wholeheartedly welcome and appreciate the… https://t.co/3a63m0RyzN

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) May 26, 2026

From the ramparts of the Red Fort in his Independence Day speech last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the demographic mission to tackle the problem. He had said there was a "pre-meditated conspiracy" to change the country's demography through illegal infiltration.

Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar will be the chairman of the high-level committee. In addition to the census commissioner, three experts - Durga Shankar Mishra (retired IAS), Balaji Srivastava (retired IPS), and Shamika Ravi (economist) will be members.

The committee will give a report in one year, and if necessary the Home Ministry may extend its tenure by up to six months.