In a significant show of public mobilisation, a large number of people from different sections of society took to the streets of Imphal on Sunday demanding the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before the conduct of the forthcoming Census, asserting that any population exercise undertaken without first identifying genuine citizens would further complicate the state’s demographic and political challenges.
The protest rally, organised by 14 civil society organisations under the banner of 14 CSOs Kangleipak, commenced from Tiddim Ground in Imphal West and culminated at THAU Ground, where a public meeting was held amid calls for immediate intervention by the Centre.
The rally witnessed participation from students, youth groups, internally displaced persons, artists, women and members of indigenous communities. Protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “Only Updation of NRC Can Save Manipur,” “No NRC, No Census,” “Do Not Neglect Manipur State,” and “Until NRC 1951 Update, Don’t Conduct Census.”
Addressing the gathering, convenor Shanta Nahakpam accused the Central Government of remaining indifferent to long-standing demands for NRC updation in Manipur despite repeatedly expressing concern over illegal immigration in other parts of the country.
He referred to the Union Government’s recent decision to constitute a high-powered committee to examine demographic changes in selected states and submit its findings to the Ministry of Home Affairs within a year. According to him, Manipur’s unique geopolitical position, sharing a sensitive international border with Myanmar and facing prolonged ethnic and security challenges, warrants urgent and separate consideration.
Shanta argued that the demand for NRC updation is no longer merely an administrative issue but has become intrinsically linked to the protection of indigenous identity, land rights and political representation. He maintained that conducting a census without first updating the NRC could produce disputed population data and adversely affect future delimitation exercises.
According to the organisers, any delimitation process based on what they described as “unverified demographic figures” could alter electoral representation and weaken constitutional safeguards available to indigenous communities.
The convenor further urged the Centre to include a representative agency from the Manipur government in the newly formed demographic study committee, contending that local institutions possess a deeper understanding of the state’s ground realities.
Participants at the rally also voiced concerns over what they described as unchecked cross-border movement through the India-Myanmar border, alleged illegal immigration, and the growing influence of transnational narcotics networks. Speakers argued that these issues have contributed to demographic anxieties among indigenous communities and must be addressed through a credible citizen-verification mechanism.
