Manipur: Manipur has adopted one of the most stringent processes to issue adult Aadhaar in the country. The process is based on MHA and UIDAI based guidelines, and the rigorous scrutiny in Manipur ensures that approval is granted only after detailed verification of Aadhaar applications.
This was informed at a high-level meeting, held at Raj Bhawan Imphal today in which the Governor of Manipur reviewed the Aadhaar enrolment, up-dation, and related services in the State. Besides the Chief Secretary, senior officers from the Home Department, UIDAI, Social Welfare and Education Departments attended the meeting.
It was also noted that each case of adult Aadhaar has to be mandatorily scrutinised and approved only at the level of State HQ in the office of the Special Secretary Home. One of the UIDAI officials present in the meeting observed that “Manipur’s adult Aadhaar process is perhaps the most stringent in the country.” The high-quality checks and scrutiny process ensure that no illegal foreigners are able to obtain the Aadhaar.
Further to maintain the security and integrity of the Aadhaar ecosystem, two mandatory updates have been implemented for biometric and biographic data: Mandatory Biometric Updation-1 (MBU-1) between the ages 5-7, and MBU-2 after reaching age 15, to keep Aadhaar active. These mandatory updates are done without any charges to the individuals.
These processes ensure that Aadhaar holders’ information remains current and secure, preventing misuse of identity. Updating biometric data enhances security and provides seamless access to government and financial services without authentication issues.
Manipur shares 400 km of the 1,640 km-long India-Myanmar border. Fencing along the mostly porous border has started, and is expected to take a couple of years to fence the entire length.
Illegal immigration and people using fake Aadhaar have been major issues in Manipur, where Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.
A Myanmarese national who was arrested in Mizoram on June 24 for drug trafficking was found with an Aadhaar card in his name which was issued in Manipur.
In June 2024, a huge racket of issuing fake Aadhaar and voter identity cards to illegal immigrants in Manipur was busted. Investigators released samples of the fake identity cards held by two Myanmar nationals, who were found living among locals in a district in Manipur.
