The Manipur Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the Centre to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the State before proceeding with the Census.

The resolution reaffirms the Assembly’s earlier decisions on the issue and marks the third time since 2022 that the House has formally called for an NRC exercise in Manipur before the population count.

Speaker Th. Satyabrata Singh said the House had reaffirmed its previous resolutions passed on August 5, 2022, and March 1, 2024, requesting the Union government to update the NRC before the Census in the interests of Manipur and the country.

Centre Has Deferred Census in Manipur

The Assembly’s latest resolution comes days after the Centre decided to defer the Census exercise in Manipur.

The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where the demand for an NRC exercise before the Census was discussed. The meeting was attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and other senior officials.

The Manipur Chief Minister’s Secretariat said the decision was taken while considering the “feelings and aspirations” of the people of the State.

Demographic Concerns Behind NRC Demand

The demand for an NRC has been driven largely by concerns among sections of the Meitei and Naga communities over alleged illegal migration from neighbouring Myanmar and its possible impact on the State’s demographic balance.

Supporters of the demand argue that establishing an updated citizenship register before the Census would provide greater clarity about the State’s population and help address concerns over undocumented migrants.

However, the issue remains contentious. A Kuki-Zo organisation has questioned the decision to defer the Census and opposed the demand for conducting the NRC before the population exercise.

Congress and BJP Find Common Ground

The NRC issue has produced an unusual degree of political convergence in Manipur.

The BJP-led State government has strongly backed the demand, while the Congress in Manipur has also supported updating the NRC before the Census. Congress leaders have argued that the State’s continuing displacement and security situation make the population exercise particularly sensitive.

The convergence between the two major political parties comes against the backdrop of the ethnic conflict that began in Manipur in May 2023.

Protests Intensify Ahead of Census

The NRC demand has also triggered protests and shutdowns in several valley districts.

Demonstrators have demanded a clear roadmap for updating the NRC before the Census. The agitation has affected transport, businesses, educational institutions and the movement of goods in parts of the State.

The Manipur High Court had also directed that the house-listing exercise remain in abeyance until October 12, while the Centre and State government formally deferred the exercise.

What Happens Next?

The latest Assembly resolution puts renewed pressure on the Centre to clarify how and when an NRC exercise could be undertaken in Manipur.

The Census process in the State will now remain linked to the broader debate over citizenship verification, demographic changes and the rehabilitation of people displaced by the ongoing conflict.

The issue is expected to remain politically sensitive as the Centre considers the demands of different communities and weighs the administrative and legal implications of conducting an NRC before the Census.