The Manipur government on Tuesday reiterated its demand for the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state before the Census, citing concerns over demographic changes, demographic imbalance and illegal migration.
Addressing a press conference at the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) auditorium at Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal, government spokesperson and MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh said the government remained serious about issues related to the NRC and Census and stood with the people of Manipur in addressing their concerns.
Dr Sapam said the Manipur Legislative Assembly had adopted a resolution on 5 August 2022 urging the Centre to take up the NRC in the state. The resolution was reaffirmed by the Assembly on 1 March 2024, he said.
He added that the issue had remained a longstanding concern of the state government and that efforts had been pursued through correspondence with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
A team of MLAs will visit New Delhi to seek guidance and urge the Centre to take up the NRC updation, Dr Sapam said, stressing that the matter should be addressed collectively, irrespective of political party, community or other differences, as it concerned the future of the state and its people.
The government also acknowledged the demand from civil society organisations and the people of Manipur that the NRC should be conducted before the Census. Dr Sapam said the government would continue to pursue the matter with the Centre and make every effort to ensure that the demand was considered.
On the ongoing bandh and protests, he said peaceful protest was a democratic right. However, he appealed to protesters to express their grievances peacefully and democratically without resorting to violence or causing inconvenience to the public, students and people whose livelihoods could be affected by disruptions.
Regarding the NRC process, Dr Sapam said the matter required discussion and consideration at various levels, and that several aspects might need to be addressed before the exercise could be taken up. He expressed hope that continued efforts and dialogue would lead to positive developments.
He further said the efforts should remain a collective endeavour and should not be viewed through the lens of political parties, communities or religions. He expressed confidence that continued engagement with the central leadership would produce a positive outcome.
Government spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam, along with MLAs Th Shyamkumar, P Brojen, T Robindro, S Premchandra, Sapam Kunjakeshwor Singh, Th Shanti and Ashab Uddin, were also present at the press conference.
