The Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTCM) has strongly supported the demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before conducting the Census and delimitation exercise in the state.
In a statement, the JTCM expressed concern over the alleged continuing influx of people across the international border and its impact on the demographic composition of Manipur. It said such changes could have serious implications for the identity, land, resources and political rights of the state’s indigenous communities.
The JTCM urged the governments of India and Manipur to first establish a reliable and verifiable record of bona fide citizens and indigenous inhabitants, arguing that conducting the Census or delimitation without addressing alleged illegal immigration could produce demographic figures that do not reflect the state’s legitimate population.
The council demanded that the NRC be implemented with 1951 as the base year, followed by the Census only after completion of the verification process. It also called for delimitation to be undertaken thereafter so that electoral representation is not determined by what it described as unverified or distorted demographic figures.
The JTCM further demanded the de-recognition of settlements allegedly recognised as villages without fulfilling the criteria prescribed under state law.
Maintaining that the NRC, Census and delimitation are interlinked, the council said a verified citizenship register should precede population enumeration and electoral delimitation.
The JTCM warned that if the government proceeds with the Census despite public opposition, it would be compelled to launch agitations, including bandhs, rallies and sit-in protests.
It urged both governments to act urgently to safeguard the identity, land rights and political interests of Manipur’s indigenous communities.
