JFD warns of agitation if census not deferred until illegal immigrant detection

The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has warned MLAs and Ministers of the Manipur government of launching serious agitation if the State Assembly fails to adopt a resolution seeking deferment of the Census until illegal migrants in the state are properly identified.
Speaking at a campaign programme held at Phumlou in Imphal West district, JFD convenor Jitendra Ningomba said that while the Census cannot be stopped, conducting it under the present circumstances in Manipur may not produce accurate data due to the alleged influx of illegal immigrants into the state.
He claimed that many people, including those who migrated from neighbouring Myanmar and others displaced during the ongoing crisis, are currently residing in Manipur. If the Census is conducted at this stage, they could be recorded as Indian citizens and gain access to rights and benefits meant for indigenous communities, he said.
Jitendra Ningomba stated that such developments could create demographic imbalance and lead to future political and administrative complications. He maintained that the Census should be conducted only after implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to detect illegal migrants.
He also noted that the Census had previously been deferred in states such as Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam under exceptional circumstances.
Stating that memoranda have already been submitted to the Governor, the Chief Minister and political parties, the JFD convenor urged MLAs and Ministers to take the issue seriously and support a resolution for deferring the Census in Manipur.