Manipur Civil Society Groups Call for Delay in Census Amid Citizenship Concerns

A group of Manipur civil society organizations has asked the central government to delay the Census process until a meeting between the Union government, the State government, and community representatives can be held. They argue that citizenship issues must first be resolved to ensure the Census is accepted by all.

The delegation, which includes 14 CSO leaders, met with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and MHA officials in Delhi. They requested a discussion table where all stakeholders can address concerns about the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Manipur. The group emphasized that only the central government can bring different communities together.

Opposition to the Census comes from several Meitei organizations and some Nagas, who fear that proceeding without addressing issues like illegal immigration could impact future political representation. They argue that any citizenship verification should use 1951 as the base year, citing pre-merger records as more reliable for identifying original citizens.

The delegation also expressed concerns about population changes over decades, which they link to migration from Myanmar since Manipur’s traditional permit system was abolished after merging with India in 1949. They stressed that their demands are not aimed at any specific community but want a fair process where everyone can prove citizenship through documents.

Ethnic tensions and displacement in the State further complicate the situation, making it difficult to conduct a credible Census. Local groups have already opposed enumerator training programs, leading to delays in the House Listing and Housing Census scheduled for September. The self-enumeration portal, set to launch on August 17, remains inactive pending decisions from the MHA.

The CSOs argue that resolving citizenship issues first is crucial to ensure public trust in the Census process.