The Central Government has postponed the Census in Manipur following intense demands from Meitei, Naga, and Pangal communities to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) first.
- Census operations in Manipur have been deferred by the Central Government.
- Meitei, Pangals, and Nagas demand NRC update before the Census begins.
- The Manipur High Court has issued orders to keep the exercise on hold.
- The Kuki-Zo Council opposes the NRC demand, favoring the immediate Census.
The Central Government has officially deferred the Census operations in Manipur, according to a statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office on Monday. This strategic decision comes after a high-level review meeting in New Delhi, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to assess the volatile security and socio-political climate of the state. The meeting saw the participation of Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan.
The primary driver behind this deferment is the concerted demand from the Meitei, Pangals (Meitei Muslims), and Nagas. These communities have urged the government to prioritize the update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before any population counting takes place. Their objective is to ensure that illegal migration, particularly from Myanmar, is addressed to protect the indigenous demographic balance of the state.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the Census in Manipur has transitioned from a routine administrative task to a high-stakes political flashpoint. By deferring the process, the Centre is attempting to mitigate the risk of widespread civil unrest, acknowledging that conducting a Census amidst citizenship disputes could further polarize the ethnic divide between the valley and the hills.
"In conflict-prone border states, the act of counting people is often perceived as an act of defining political power."
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed gratitude toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their receptiveness to the local inhabitants' concerns. He specifically lauded the efforts of 14 civil society organizations and a delegation of BJP MLAs who campaigned vigorously in the capital for the NRC's implementation.
Adding a legal layer to the deferment, the High Court of Manipur has directed that the Census remain suspended until further orders. A special bench comprising Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice A. Guneswar Sharma heard petitions from the Kangleipak Students’ Association and other activists. The petitioners are seeking the use of 1951 as the base year for the NRC update to effectively weed out illegal immigrants.
However, the state remains deeply divided on the issue. The influential Kuki-Zo Council has dismissed the NRC demands as "premature and unjustified," arguing that the Census should have proceeded as scheduled. This divergence highlights the deep-seated mistrust between the various ethnic blocs in the region.
| Stakeholder | Stance on NRC | Stance on Census |
|---|---|---|
| Meitei, Naga, Pangals | Demand update (1951 Base) | Defer until NRC is done |
| Kuki-Zo Council | Oppose/Call it unjustified | Welcome/Support |
| Central Govt | Reviewing demands | Currently Deferred |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was the Census deferred in Manipur?
It was deferred due to demands from Meitei, Naga, and Pangal communities to update the NRC first to prevent illegal migrants from being counted as citizens.
2. What is the proposed base year for the NRC update?
The petitioners and civil society groups have requested 1951 to be used as the base year for the NRC update process.
