The Campaign for Just & Fair Delimitation (JFD) continued its statewide awareness campaign by organising street-corner meetings at various locations across Manipur, reiterating its demand that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be updated before the Census is conducted in the state.
On the third day of the campaign, meetings were held at Khumbong Bazaar, Lamshang Keithel, Kwakeithel, Lamphel Super Market and Nagamapal Line under the leadership of Sougrakpam Sumati, Community Affairs in-charge of JFD, and W. Phulka, Assistant Organising Secretary.
Simultaneously, JFD Task Force Co-Convenors Organisation and Mobilisation P. Sanahanbi and Ch. Shyamson led similar programmes at Sagolmang, Pangei, Khabam Lamkhai, Koirengei and Sekmai, interacting with members of the public at markets and other gathering places.
Addressing the gatherings, JFD leaders reiterated that the NRC must be updated before the Census is undertaken in Manipur. The organisation contended that conducting the Census without first identifying and excluding illegal immigrants would undermine the accuracy of the population count and could have long-term implications for the indigenous people in matters relating to political representation, economic opportunities and social rights.
The JFD also stated that although more than three years have passed since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, the situation in the state has not returned to normal.
It pointed out that many internally displaced persons (IDPs) have yet to return to their homes and that unrestricted movement along several national highways has not been fully restored. Under such circumstances, JFD maintained that conducting the Census would be neither just nor fair.
Referring to the legal provisions governing the Census, JFD said Clause 3 of the Census Act, 1948 allows for the postponement of Census operations when prevailing conditions are not conducive, and asserted that the exercise could be legally deferred until normalcy is restored.
The JFD also recalled a resolution adopted jointly with various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Manipur Press Club, urging the Government of Manipur to publicly announce on or before August 6 that the NRC would be completed prior to the Census.
JFD warned that if the government fails to make such an announcement within the stipulated deadline, it would intensify its agitation from the following day.
Appealing for public support, the organisation called upon people across the state to actively participate in the movement and organise local sit-in protests in their respective localities until August 6 in support of its demand for “NRC Updation Before Census.”