Adhere to ILP in Aadhaar issuance to prevent unauthorized settlements: Former Manipur CM N Biren Singh
N Biren Singh
has emphasized that the Aadhaar issuance process and all related matters must strictly adhere to the provisions of the
Inner Line Permit
(ILP) system to prevent unauthorized settlements and safeguard the rights of the indigenous population.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar said Manipur has adopted one of the most stringent processes in the country for issuing Aadhaar to adults. The protocol ensures robust scrutiny and enhanced security, in line with guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
'Each case of adult Aadhaar must be mandatorily scrutinised and approved only at the state headquarters, in the office of the Special Secretary, Home,' the statement said.
The comments came following a high-level meeting chaired by the governor at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday. The meeting focused on Aadhaar enrolment, upgradation, and service delivery in the state. Senior officials, including the Chief Secretary and representatives from the Home Department, UIDAI, Social Welfare, and Education departments were present.
'One of the UIDAI officials present at the meeting observed that Manipur's adult Aadhaar process is perhaps the most stringent in the country,' the statement added. 'The high-quality checks and scrutiny process ensures that no illegal foreigner can obtain an Aadhaar card.'
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To maintain the integrity and security of the Aadhaar ecosystem, the state is also implementing two mandatory biometric and demographic updates—Mandatory Biometric Update 1 (MBU-1) between the ages of 5 and 7, and MBU-2 after age 15. These updates are free of charge and are aimed at maintaining data accuracy throughout an individual's lifetime.
'These updates are crucial to keeping Aadhaar data current and secure, preventing identity misuse,' the statement said. They also help ensure seamless access to government schemes and financial services by eliminating authentication issues.
Singh, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said:
'I appreciate the enhanced measures recently undertaken by the State Government to strengthen and streamline the Aadhaar issuance process in Manipur. These efforts are critical to safeguarding our integrity and identity.
In addition, it is equally important to remember that Manipur is a state where the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system is in place to regulate the entry and stay of non-residents. The Aadhaar issuance process and all related matters must always adhere to the provisions of the ILP to prevent unauthorized settlements and protect the rights of the indigenous population.'
He further warned of past lapses that allowed non-citizens to settle in the state using questionable documentation.
'There have been cases where individuals who are not citizens of Manipur managed to reside in the state using questionable documents,' Singh wrote. 'A notable example is the case of the late Nehginpao Kipgen. According to media reports, he was born in Teijang, Myanmar (Burma) in 1975, but later came to Manipur for education, studied in other parts of India and abroad, and lived as an Indian citizen. This is a classic example of how the origins of certain individuals were never seriously questioned, and over time, they became citizens of India through unchecked processes.'
Singh also cited a recent case where the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal West ordered a detailed investigation into the citizenship status of a professor at the University of Hyderabad and his family. 'Their names appeared in the electoral records of Churachandpur for the first time in 2005, with no prior trace in earlier records,' he said. 'This case highlights how serious the issue is and how such entries can quietly slip into the system when proper checks are not in place.'
He called for strict verification mechanisms and greater coordination between Aadhaar authorities, ILP enforcement agencies, and local administrative bodies.
'This is not just an administrative issue but a matter of national security,' Singh stressed. 'Manipur shares a porous border with Myanmar and lies close to China. Strict identity checks are essential to protect the country's safety and strategic interests.'
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