The Coordinating Committee of Club and Organisations (COCOCO), along with Meira Paibi groups, has opposed Census-related activities in villages under the Keirao Assembly Constituency, warning that enumerators and supervisors will not be allowed to conduct training or fieldwork in the area.
COCOCO president Samjetsabam Meghachandra said the decision was announced during a meeting with the media at the organisation’s office at Lamdung Maning Laikei Kangjeibung in Imphal East.
He said government employees residing in Keirao Bitra, Langdum, Khanarok, Chanam Sandrok, Wangkhem, Thiyam Konjil, Phunal Maring, Uran Chiru, Waithou Chiru, Laipharok Maring, Awang Maring and Kapursunng villages would also not be allowed to participate as Census enumerators or supervisors.
Meghachandra said the move was in support of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), which has been demanding that the NRC be updated before the Census is conducted. He urged the government to defer the Census and conduct it strictly in accordance with the prevailing situation and rules.
He warned that conducting the Census without addressing the concerns could have serious demographic implications for Manipur and said COCOCO and local organisations would support the JFD movement.
Meghachandra appealed to the government to take the concerns seriously, cautioning that any attempt to suppress the movement could provoke further public action. He also urged the police not to continue filing FIRs against JFD leaders for participating in the movement, warning that further action could face resistance.
