Congress MP A. Bimol Akoijam has urged the government to delay the Census in Manipur, stating that ongoing ethnic violence and the displacement of 60,000 people make accurate enumeration impossible.

  • Congress seeks postponement of the Census in Manipur due to ongoing conflict.
  • MP A. Bimol Akoijam reports nearly 60,000 people remain displaced.
  • Demand for NRC completion prior to Census to address illegal migration.
  • Concerns raised regarding the accuracy of data for relief camp residents.

New Delhi: The Indian National Congress has formally sought the postponement of the Census exercise in Manipur, citing the state's volatile security situation and the massive displacement of its population. The party argues that conducting a census amidst ongoing ethnic violence would be fundamentally unjust to the thousands of citizens currently uprooted from their homes.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Inner Manipur MP A. Bimol Akoijam highlighted the humanitarian crisis gripping the state. Since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, approximately 60,000 people have been rendered homeless. With over 10,000 houses destroyed and entire villages devastated, the MP emphasized that the social fabric of the region remains too fragile for a standard administrative exercise.

Read Also:Man Kills Wife in Car Before Children in Washim, Maharashtra

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the Census in Manipur is not merely a statistical necessity but a politically sensitive instrument. In a state grappling with identity politics and border security, the accuracy of population data directly influences delimitation, resource allocation, and the legal status of residents under frameworks like the NRC.

Conducting the Census under these circumstances would be to compound the injustice and humiliation suffered by the people of Manipur.

The Congress clarified that its demand is specifically for a postponement rather than a total cancellation. The party maintains that an accurate house-listing of thousands of displaced individuals living in temporary relief camps is practically unfeasible. Mr. Akoijam has officially raised this concern in Parliament under Rule 377 and has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking immediate intervention.

The NRC and Border Security Linkage

A significant component of the Congress's demand involves the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The MP argued that the NRC process must be completed before the Census begins to address concerns regarding illegal migration across the Myanmar border. To ensure transparency, the party has called for the establishment of Foreigners Tribunals within the state to identify non-citizens effectively.

Historically, Manipur has faced recurring debates over its demographic shifts. Discrepancies and questions regarding the population figures from the 2001 and 2011 Censuses continue to influence local discourse. The Congress asserts that these historical and demographic ambiguities must be resolved before a fresh enumeration is attempted to avoid further communal tension.

Did You Know?: The ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur has led to one of the largest internal displacements in recent Indian history.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does the Congress oppose the Census in Manipur right now?
The party argues that the mass displacement of 60,000 people makes it impossible to conduct an accurate and fair census, which would ultimately harm the displaced population.

2. What is the Congress's stance on the NRC in Manipur?
The Congress demands that the NRC process be completed prior to the Census to ensure that illegal migrants are identified and the state's demographics are accurately recorded.