Sanjoy Ahanthem urges NRC update, anti-terror law in Assembly session
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 01 2026: Social activist Sanjoy Ahanthem has urged the Manipur Legislative Assembly to take up the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the State and enact a stringent anti-terrorism law during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Speaking to the media today, Sanjoy said the Assembly normally convenes its Monsoon Session in August to deliberate on issues concerning the State and enact necessary laws.

He urged the Government to convene the session at the earliest, stating that, in the absence of any emergency or special session, the upcoming sitting could be the last session of the 12th Assembly.

He said the Assembly must take firm and significant decisions on issues concerning the future of the State and its coming generations.

Expressing concern over the ongoing census exercise in various parts of the country, Sanjoy said there was apprehension that conducting the census in Manipur without first identifying illegal immigrants could lead to renewed turmoil in the State.

He noted that several civil society organisations in Manipur have also been demanding that the census should not be conducted before the identification of illegal immigrants.

Sanjoy urged the Assembly to unanimously adopt a resolution seeking the updating of the NRC in Manipur and issuance of a Gazette notification by the Union Government in this regard.

He also called for the census to be withheld in the State until the NRC is updated.

He cautioned that conducting the census without updating the NRC could have serious implications for the political, economic and cultural interests and identity of indigenous communities in the State.

On the security situation, Sanjoy alleged that Kuki militant groups under the tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Central and State Governments have been involved in killings, abductions and narco-terrorism activities.

He called for stringent action against those involved in such crimes, irrespective of community affiliation.

He urged the Assembly to consider enacting a dedicated Manipur State Anti-Terrorism Law and establishing a special court to deal with narcoterrorism and other serious crimes, asserting that such measures would help strengthen the State's efforts to contain such activities.

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