Not the right time for census, says Ranjit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 22 2026: Considering the prevailing situation of Manipur, the Congress party is of the view that the time is not right for carrying out census operations in the State.

This was stated by Congress MLA K Ranjit.

Speaking at the inaugural function of a community hall constructed inside the premises of Ima Thumkhong Lairembi, Umathel today, Ranjit warned that Manipur will face insurmountable challenges if census operations are carried out under the prevailing situation.

After massive errors and manipulations were detected in the census report of 2001 and due process was initiated for a fresh census in 2011, the then Congress Government challenged the initiative asking the authorities to first correct the outrageous census report of 2001 and the matter reached the Supreme Court, he said.

The Congress MLA asserted that the time is not right for the scheduled census operations even if the exercise is under a constitutional provision.

Pointing out that the situation is not favourable for carrying out census operations, Ranjit urged the State Government to persuade Central leaders and see that the census exercise is deferred.

All the structures including dwelling houses of Churachandpur localities inhabited by Meiteis have been razed to ground and flattened.

The Meitei localities look like vast, flattened grounds today.

Likewise, no Meitei house stands at Moreh and Kangpokpi too.

Census officials will find no houses at these localities and they will find no Meitei families at these places.

When census enumerators do not find any Meitei family at Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh, it may imply that Meiteis will never be allowed to resettle at these places, Ranjit said.

Census operations can be deferred.

Earlier census operations were deferred in Jammu & Kashmir in 1951 and again in 1991, and Assam in 1981 because of law and order conditions in these States.

Veteran politician Okram Joy and MLA Th Lokeshwar were also present at the function.

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