Manipur’s NRC-before-Census demand reaches Delhi again

A 10-member delegation from Manipur is in Delhi to seek an NRC update before the state’s Census 2027 exercise begins, extending a campaign that has brought torch rallies, office boycotts and a general strike across parts of Manipur.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has publicly supported the demand, and BJP legislators and former chief minister N Biren Singh have also been pressing the Centre to address it. The delegation follows an earlier visit by Manipur community leaders to Delhi.

Groups including Meira Paibi organisations and the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation want the Census and house-listing work paused until the NRC is updated and internally displaced people are resettled in their home villages. The first phase of Census 2027, covering house listing and housing, is scheduled in Manipur from September 1 to 30.

The Kuki-Zo Council has opposed an NRC exercise before the Census, calling the demand premature and arguing that an impartial count should establish verified demographic data first. The Delhi meetings are expected to place those competing positions before central ministers.