Imphal: The central government has suspended the Census exercise in Manipur amid strong objections and growing demands from local organisations to implement the NRC before the Census.
Even after the Union government decided to postpone the Census, a 24-hour bandh over the demand for an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) disrupted daily life across five valley districts of Manipur on September 1.
Five valley districts, namely Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching, saw empty streets throughout the day. Markets stayed closed, vehicles were largely off the roads, and schools and colleges did not open. The bandh call had come from groups pushing for the NRC to be updated before any Census count takes place.
Notably, the strike proceeded on schedule even after the ruling BJP in the state urged it to be called off following the Centre’s decision to halt the Census exercise for now. After a review meeting in New Delhi presided over by Home Minister Amit Shah, the Union Home Ministry decided to postpone the Census in Manipur.
Manipur’s indigenous communities Meitei, Nagas, Kom (considered non-Naga or Kuki), Meitei Pangals (Muslims) and even smaller sections such as Bihari and Nepalis have collectively called for NRC before the Census exercise, fearing legitimising illegal immigrants as Indian citizens and framing policies, including representation/Delimitation considering foreigners as Indian citizens. The agitating organisations are demanding immediate implementation of NRC in the state.
At a media interaction at the BJP’s state headquarters, party chief A Sharda Devi said the government was handling the NRC question carefully and that the state and central governments would work out further steps jointly in response to public demands.
Chief Minister Yamnum Khemchand welcomed the Centre’s move, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other party leaders for what he described as a response to the will of the state’s people.
He said the decision reflected the outcome of sustained dialogue between central leaders and local stakeholders, including 14 Civil Society Organisations and a group of BJP legislators who had recently taken the matter to New Delhi.
The Chief Minister further assured residents that both the state and central governments would continue working toward addressing the concerns behind the agitation.
