Centre Defers Census in Manipur Amid Protests Over NRC Demand

The Centre has decided to defer the proposed census exercise in Manipur, taking into account the sentiments and aspirations of the people. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other central leaders for listening to the concerns of the people. He also expressed gratitude to BJP president Nitin Nabin for his support in addressing the demands raised from the state. The meeting was attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and other senior officials.

The decision comes amid growing protests and demands in Manipur that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be completed before the census is conducted. Meitei and Naga groups had opposed conducting the census without first completing the NRC, while the Kuki-Zo Council reportedly took a different position. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of 14 civil society organisations and a delegation of BJP MLAs that had campaigned in New Delhi for the NRC and held consultations with central leaders and officials. Manipur has been affected by ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities since 2023, resulting in more than 50,000 people being displaced and over 250 deaths, according to the information provided.