The Campaign for Just & Fair Delimitation (JFD) has warned of launching a serious agitation if MLAs and Ministers fail to publicly clarify their stand on the proposed Census before the last week of February.
The warning was issued during a public meeting held at Nongpok Heirok Community Hall and Wangkhei Keithel Asangbi Community Hall in Imphal East district as part of an awareness campaign organised in connection with the nationwide Census exercise scheduled to commence in April under the Government of India. The meeting was addressed by JFD Convenor Jeetendra Ningomba and attended by members of local Meira Paibi groups and various clubs.
Addressing the gathering, Jeetendra Ningomba stated that the prevailing unrest in the state was closely linked to the issue of illegal immigration. He maintained that conducting the Census without first identifying and segregating illegal immigrants would not be appropriate. He cautioned that if individuals who had entered the state from across international borders were included in the enumeration process, they might subsequently raise demands for separate administration, making it difficult to counter such claims.
He urged that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) or a similar legal mechanism be implemented prior to the Census to ensure proper identification. He further stated that the timing of the Census must take into account the current situation in the state. Citing instances in Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, he observed that Census operations had been deferred in the past under special circumstances. He added that during periods of war, national calamity, disaster or pandemic, postponement of the Census is permissible.
In this regard, he called upon the Manipur government to convene a Cabinet meeting and adopt a resolution urging the Centre to first undertake identification of illegal immigrants before proceeding with the Census in the state. Failing such clarification, he said, the organisation would be compelled to intensify its agitation.
Jeetendra Ningomba noted that since 1981, the decennial Census has been conducted every ten years without public objection. However, he asserted that in Manipur, the exercise should only be undertaken after identifying those who entered the state after 1951 and after implementing the National Register of Citizens or a similar verification mechanism. Until such steps are taken, he said, population enumeration should not be carried out.
He also referred to concerns raised during the previous Census, where certain hill sub-divisions reportedly recorded unusually high population growth, while some valley areas showed comparatively lower growth rates. In view of such disparities, he expressed apprehension that the forthcoming Census might not reflect the ground reality unless adequate safeguards are ensured.
Warning of possible long-term consequences, he stated that if migrants from Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar are included without verification, they may be recognised as citizens and enjoy rights meant for genuine citizens. He cautioned that such a development could adversely affect indigenous communities.
Speaking at the same programme, JFD Finance Secretary Sunil Karam stated that under the present circumstances in Manipur, conducting the Census would not be appropriate. He informed that representations had already been submitted to the Government of India urging that the Census in the state be conducted only after implementation of the National Register of Citizens or a similar mechanism.
He further urged the newly formed state government to apprise the Centre that the current situation is not conducive for the Census. Referring to the violence that began on May 3, 2023 and the continuing restrictions on inter-district movement, he questioned how the enumeration process could be conducted effectively amid such conditions.
The leaders maintained that unless illegal immigrants are identified beforehand, conducting the Census in the state could lead to serious implications, and reiterated their demand for prior verification before any enumeration exercise is undertaken.