"No Census without NRC": Senior citizens hold sit-in protest at Moirang
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, March 29 2026: Demanding that the Census should not be conducted in Manipur before the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Senior Citizens for Society, Moirang staged a sit-in protest at Moirang Lamkhai on Sunday.

Former MLA of Moirang Assembly Constituency, Pukhrem Sharatchandra, who took part in the demonstration, expressed serious concern over the proposed Census exercise in the State, stating that the issue concerns the future of all indigenous communities of Manipur.

Sharatchandra warned that if illegal immigrants and outsiders are allowed to remain in the State and are included in official records, they may eventually claim Indian citizenship and voting rights, making it increasingly difficult to identify and deport them in the future.

"No Census without NRC": Senior citizens hold sit-in protest at Moirang

Referring to the 2011 Census records, he alleged irregularities in certain districts, particularly in hill areas, where there was a significant rise in population.

He claimed that some data entries reflected unusually high birth rates, raising apprehensions about the demographic changes.

Questioning the timing of the proposed Census, Sharatchandra pointed out that the State is still reeling under ethnic unrest, with many displaced persons currently taking shelter in relief camps.

He noted that several families have lost their homes, which have been reduced to ashes, and in some cases, even land plots have been flattened, leaving no trace of prior habitation.

Under such circumstances, he questioned how an accurate Census could be conducted.

He further emphasized that the concept of SIR must be clearly understood, stating that SIR cannot effectively identify outsiders, whereas NRC serves as a mechanism to do so.

He asserted that NRC must be implemented prior to the Census, and said the protest was organized with the objective of safeguarding Manipur's indigenous population.

Protesters held placards bearing slogans such as "NRC before Census," "Identify outsiders first," and "Census only after NRC," among others.

Meanwhile, residents of Phougakchao Ikhai under Torbung Gram Panchayat also voiced concern over the government's move.

Speaking to the media, Keithelakpam Kekesana, a resident of Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai and a victim of the recent ethnic violence, said many families continue to face hardship without proper shelter and food, and are yet to return to their original homes.

She stated that conducting a Census under the present circumstances would not reflect the ground reality, as many displaced people remain in relief camps and are still in the process of resettlement.

She further alleged bias in the government's approach and cautioned that residents of Torbung Gram Panchayat may oppose the Census if conducted without addressing their concerns.

Kekesana added that numerous houses have been destroyed or reduced to ashes, and several families, particularly those displaced from Churachandpur, have no remaining trace of their former homes.

In such a situation, she asserted, victims of the conflict cannot accept the Census before the update of the NRC .