AMSU seeks postponement of 2027 Census in Manipur until NRC update

The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) has called for postponing the 2027 Census in Manipur until mechanisms such as updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are completed.
The demand was raised today as part of the union’s month-long observance of its 46th Realisation Day, which began on March 17. AMSU President Lukram Malangba while speking to media persons stated that the organisation has been conducting a series of programmes, including discussions, seminars and awareness initiatives, to mark the occasion.
He informed that AMSU has launched street-corner meetings and poster campaigns across various localities, particularly in public gathering areas, to engage with the public. The campaign highlights eight key issues concerning the future of the state and aims to generate awareness and public participation.
Malangba further stated that a one-day discourse on agreements related to the identification, detection and deportation of foreigners—signed between AMSU, the Government of Manipur and the Government of India on July 22 and August 5, 1980, and November 9, 1994—was held on March 28 at GP College, where several key recommendations were unanimously adopted.
AMSU urged the authorities to take serious note of reported demographic changes in the state and to implement the existing agreements in letter and spirit by April 2026, warning that failure to do so could lead to democratic forms of agitation.
The student body also appealed to the Government of India to address concerns regarding the alleged threat to indigenous communities by initiating steps to identify, detain and deport illegal immigrants. In cases where immediate deportation is not feasible, it suggested setting up temporary refugee camps in other states.
Additionally, AMSU demanded the removal of suspected illegal immigrants from electoral rolls and called for discontinuing welfare benefits extended to them, stating that such measures are necessary to safeguard the interests of genuine citizens.