CSOs react to Manipur CM’s census statement, reiterate demand for NRC update before enumeration

Civil society organisations in Manipur have reiterated their demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the census, reacting strongly to the statement made by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand in the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Addressing a joint press conference held at the office of International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) in Imphal, representatives of 14 civil society organisations said they would not compromise their demand for NRC updation by accepting the government’s proposal to proceed with the census after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The press conference was organised in response to the statement made by the chief minister during Thursday’s Assembly session regarding the proposed census exercise in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the joint CSOs, spokesperson Shanta Nahakpam said the chief minister had indicated that the census exercise would be delayed and carried out only after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and house-listing. However, he said the people of the state found the statement unfortunate and inadequate in addressing the core concern of illegal immigration.

Nahakpam emphasised that there is a significant difference between the NRC and the Special Intensive Revision. According to him, SIR is merely an administrative review of the electoral rolls and does not have the provisions to identify or address the issue of illegal immigrants. He said the demand for NRC updation stems from the belief that such a mechanism would help detect and facilitate the deportation of illegal immigrants.

He said that while the chief minister mentioning the census in the Assembly was welcome, delaying the exercise only until the completion of SIR would not resolve the fundamental issue. “The people of the state cannot compromise the demand for NRC with SIR,” he said.

The CSO spokesperson also pointed to the prevailing political and security situation in the state, noting that the current session of the Assembly is witnessing partial participation of legislators, with some attending virtually while others are absent. In such circumstances, he argued, it would be difficult to claim that the state has returned to complete normalcy, making a fair census exercise nearly impossible.

Citing precedents from other regions, Nahakpam said that census exercises have been postponed in areas facing instability. He referred to instances in Jammu and Kashmir where the census was delayed multiple times due to prevailing conditions. He also mentioned that Arunachal Pradesh conducted its first census only in 1969, suggesting that exceptional circumstances can justify delays.

He further alleged that several agreements had been reached between the government and civil society groups in the past regarding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants. However, according to him, those commitments have not been implemented. He urged the government not to treat the issue of illegal immigration lightly.

The chief minister’s remarks came in response to a motion raised by Congress MLA Keisham Meghachandra in the Assembly. In his reply, Khemchand stated that the census exercise in Manipur would take time as the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the house-listing process need to be completed beforehand.

Meanwhile, protests erupted in Imphal on Thursday demanding NRC updation before conducting the census. The demonstrations reportedly turned violent, leaving at least three people injured. Protesters condemned any move to conduct the census while the state continues to grapple with instability and before addressing their demand for NRC implementation.