Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has expressed confidence that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will positively consider the demand for conducting an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before the Census, following his meeting with Shah in New Delhi.
Speaking to media persons after returning to Imphal this morning, Biren Singh said he had apprised the Union Home Minister of the prevailing situation in Manipur, including the economic blockade, counter-economic blockade, rising prices of essential commodities and the growing public demand for updating the NRC before the Census.
“I met the Union Home Minister at 5.45 pm and seriously apprised him of the burning issues in the state. He assured me that he would find a solution at the earliest possible time,” Biren Singh said.
He said the NRC issue was also discussed in detail, with him placing before Shah the history of the state government’s efforts to have the NRC updated in Manipur.
Biren Singh recalled that the Manipur Cabinet had taken a decision in February 2023, followed by a resolution of the State Assembly, which was subsequently forwarded to the Union Government. According to him, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Registrar General of India had acknowledged receipt of the resolution, with the latter informing the state that the proposal had been received and consulted upon, although the Government of India had no decision at that time to conduct an NRC across the country.
He said another resolution was adopted by the Manipur Legislative Assembly in 2024 and forwarded to the Union Government.
“I apprised the Union Home Minister of all these references and showed him the relevant documents. I also submitted a letter,” the former Chief Minister said, adding that Shah listened to his submissions “very carefully” and patiently.
Biren Singh said he told Shah that the demand for NRC was being raised amid growing public apprehension over illegal immigration and alleged demographic changes in the state. He maintained that people were not opposed to the Census but wanted the NRC to be updated first.
Referring to government records, he said 926 unrecognised villages had applied to the state government for recognition, adding that such developments had contributed to public concerns over demographic imbalance.
He also informed Shah about the ongoing agitation against the Census, including the 48-hour general strike that began from midnight yesterday, and the injuries reportedly sustained by students during protests.
Biren Singh said he was hopeful that the Union Government would respond positively to the demand.
“I believe and feel that the demand of the people to conduct NRC before the Census will get a positive response from the Union Home Minister,” he said.
His remarks came amid heightened political speculation following the departure from Imphal of several prominent political figures, including Biren Singh, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and MLA Khumukcham Joykishan Singh, around the same period. However, no official statement was immediately available linking their visits to any specific political development.
Biren Singh appealed to the people to maintain peace and refrain from violence during the ongoing protests, expressing confidence that the concerns raised by the people would be heard by the Government of India.
He said he expected Shah to seriously consider the demand for updating the NRC before the Census, which has emerged as a major issue amid the continuing political and social tensions in Manipur.