The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) continued its agitation demanding updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census, despite the State Assembly passing a resolution calling for the Census to be conducted after updation of the NRC.
The JFD said the Assembly resolution did not specify a base year for the NRC updation. A large number of people from Thangmeiband, including members of the Meitei and Naga communities, staged a protest demonstration at Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai today. The protest was organised by the Panthoibi Women’s Association of Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai under the aegis of the JFD.
Speaking to the media, JFD Treasurer Sunil Karam said the resolution passed by the State Assembly did not mention any base year. He said the JFD was demanding that the NRC be updated by adopting 1951 as the base year.
Sunil said the JFD and sections of the people of Manipur wanted the NRC updation to be carried out on the basis of 1951, adding that a base year was necessary for the exercise.
On the opposition expressed by an MLA from the Naga community to adopting 1951 as the base year, Sunil said the lone MLA could not be regarded as representing all Naga communities in the State. He claimed that many Naga people also supported the demand for 1951 as the base year.
Sunil further said people had lost trust in the government, pointing out that resolutions on the issue had been passed by the Assembly in 2022, 2024 and during the current session.
Expressing doubts over the government’s approach, he demanded that the Government of Manipur obtain a written assurance from the Government of India that the Census would be conducted only after updation of the NRC using 1951 as the base year.
Sunil warned that failure to meet the demand could lead to an intensified agitation, cautioning that the movement could result in serious confrontation and bloodshed.