The Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMTU) has reiterated its demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before the Census exercise and urged the Government of India to publish a White Paper on illegal immigration in the State.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, MMTU Secretary Organisation Takhellambam Parijat Meitei welcomed the Manipur High Court’s November 5 direction for the Registrar General of India (RGI) to consult civil society organisations (CSOs) in Manipur and receive their submissions by April 25, 2027, before conducting the Census.
The Union urged all CSOs to submit their views within the stipulated period, noting that the RGI would be free to proceed with the Census if submissions were not received by the deadline.
MMTU argued that conducting the Census without first implementing NRC could result in illegal immigrants being counted as residents, potentially affecting future delimitation and the demographic profile of the State.
It cited the 1980 and 1994 agreements between the All Manipur Students’ Union and the Government of India, as well as resolutions passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly, in support of its claim that NRC has long been demanded in Manipur.
The Union also raised concerns over alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal, claiming that it posed demographic, land and security challenges for indigenous communities.
Demanding transparency from the Centre, MMTU called for a White Paper detailing the number of illegal immigrants in Manipur, the circumstances of their entry and the action taken by the authorities. It alleged that the issue had remained unaddressed despite repeated demands.
The Union appealed to CSOs, the public and other stakeholders to collectively press for implementation of NRC before the Census.
