Social activist Shanjoy Ahanthem has questioned the Manipur government’s failure to decide on deferring the Census and conducting an National Register of Citizens (NRC) update first, asking whether the government is acting to protect the state or deepen its demographic challenges.
As part of the “No NRC, No Census” campaign led by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), the Kumbi Kendra Progressive Front organised a public meeting at Kumbi Bazar yesterday.
Addressing the gathering, Shanjoy said conducting the Census without first updating the NRC could have serious implications for Manipur’s indigenous population, including its political representation, land rights, economy, culture and identity.
He expressed concern that a fresh delimitation based on the Census could reduce Assembly seats in the valley from the existing 40 to 27 or 28, while increasing hill seats to 32 or 33.
Referring to the 2001 Census, Shanjoy claimed that population growth in valley districts was around 17–18 percent, while some hill subdivisions recorded growth rates ranging from 46 percent to 169 percent. He warned that another Census under the present circumstances could produce further demographic imbalances.
He urged the government to first update the NRC and defer the Census until the prevailing concerns are addressed.
JFD finance secretary Sunil Karam, Kumbi Kendra Progressive Farmers Association president Sanasam Dinesh, Meira Paibi leaders and local residents attended the meeting.