Manipur groups demand NRC update before national census

Civil society organisations (CSOs) and activists in Manipur are demanding that the central government update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the upcoming national census.

A 10-member delegation representing 14 CSOs, including members from the Meitei, Naga, Kom, and Meitei Pangal communities, recently met with central leaders in New Delhi, including Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and BJP national president Nitin Nabin. The delegation advocated for using 1951 as the base year to establish citizenship status and identify illegal immigrants. Central leaders reportedly assured the group that their concerns would be considered.

In Imphal, Meira Paibi activists held massive torch rallies to support the demand for an NRC update prior to the census. These protests, organized under the Campaign for Justice and Fair Delimitation (JFD), have seen hundreds of women marching through streets under heavy police protection due to the sensitive regional situation. Protesters argue that the census should be deferred until the NRC process is completed to address concerns regarding outsiders in the state.