IT News
Imphal, March 22:
The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Manipur, has voiced strong opposition to the propose delimitation process in the state, citing concerns over ethnic tensions and the issue of illegal immigration. The organization argued that conducting delimitation during the current crisis could further complicate the already volatile situation.
In a press statement, FOCS pointed out that the Supreme Court of India had recently directed the Central Government to conduct a three-year delimitation exercise in Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. However, it questioned the feasibility of implementing the process in Manipur, given the prevailing security and demographic challenges.
The organization stated that maintaining law and order remained a significant challenge, making it difficult to execute delimitation fairly. It warned that without an accurate and scientific enumeration of the population, the process could lead to further discrepancies. FOCS specifically raised concerns about the increasing number of illegal immigrants in Manipur, claiming that the influx had disturbed the state’s demographic balance, particularly in Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, and Kamjong districts.
According to FOCS, a significant number of undocumented migrants from Myanmar had entered the state, exacerbating ethnic tensions. The organization attributed this migration to Myanmar’s political crisis, stating that it had led to a porous border situation, further complicating Manipur’s internal affairs.
FOCS also referenced a recent statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament, where he acknowledged the worsening situation. The organization urged the government to conduct an accurate enumeration based on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before proceeding with the delimitation exercise.
Stressing the potential risks of an ill-planned delimitation process, FOCS cautioned that failure to address these concerns could result in further demographic imbalances and ethnic unrest. The organization called for immediate and transparent action to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities and ensure a fair process that reflects the true demographic composition of the state.
