Leaders of 14 civil society organisations (CSOs) and other CSOs from Manipur met Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju at his official residence in New Delhi on Monday, seeking his intervention on issues concerning the state.
The delegation, led by Convenor Nahakpam Santa, included representatives of various community organisations. Manipur Government spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam was also present during the meeting.
The CSO delegation submitted a memorandum calling for a Census to be conducted and for measures to ensure proper identification of Indian citizens. The memorandum also proposed 1951 as the base year for the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and sought a freeze on delimitation until the Census is completed and citizenship status is properly determined.
After receiving the memorandum, Rijiju assured the delegation that its concerns regarding the Census and other demands would be discussed with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and that appropriate consideration would be given to the issues raised.
The delegation included representatives of the Meitei, Kabui, Kom, Muslim, Rongmei Naga and internally displaced persons’ organisations, among others.