Okram Ibobi Singh, former Chief Minister and President, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, today questioned the wisdom in going ahead with the Census in Manipur at a time when there is an internal displacement of persons (IDPs) problem and issue of cross-border migration.
While addressing a press conference, Ibobi said the state government should approach the Center and request deferment of Census before the Gazette Notification for the exercise is issued because of the situation prevailing in the state which does not facilitate credible enumeration of population.
Both the Government of India and state government were fully aware of the situation, he pointed out, adding that the displacement of the people was ongoing since May 3, 2023.
“From May 3, the IDPs are unable to go back home. Since the people of different communities are unable to live together and are living separately, how can a meaningful census be carried out?” he questioned.
According to Ibobi, the Congress party supported the very basic purpose of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Particularly, identifying the illegal immigrants and deporting them according to the laws of the country, he added.
But he felt that first the issue of cross-border migration and the identity of the people who belong to the state should be sorted out before conducting the Census which will have implications on the demographics and politics later on.
While questioning about the timing of the exercise, Ibobi opined that conducting the Census in the prevailing circumstances would tantamount to carrying out a major administrative process without first sorting out the basic issues of the population.
“Then what is the purpose of conducting only the Census under the existing circumstances?” he asked, emphasizing that the government should first make such a situation where people displaced should be able to return home and communities could live together.
The Congress leader made his remarks against the backdrop of demands in Manipur for conducting the NRC prior to the Census which were being made by political and social outfits of the state.
Former Chief Minister requested the state government to take up the issue with the Center immediately and get sufficient time to sort out the problems before going ahead with the Census.
The call for NRC in Manipur, thus, puts the state government in a politically uncomfortable position as it faces demands for NRC while continuing the administrative preparations for the Census.
