More boycott census
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 01 2026: The census boycott call amid the push for updating NRC has become louder with several localities and Constituencies now prohibiting all census related exercises in their respective areas.

No census related activities will be allowed in Wangkhei Assembly Constituency and Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency, said locals, clubs and organisations today.

At a press meet held at the Citizen Club, Soibam Leikai, Wangkhei Khunou today, Peace Committee Wangkhei Kendra co-convenor Th Dijen said the committee and the locals of the Constituency fully support the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation's demand for NRC prior to census.

The Government must cease all census related exercises and take up prompt steps to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) first, he said.

Conducting the census before the NRC risks inclusion of illegal immigrants as genuine citizens.

The NRC must be updated first to detect and identify foreigners, illegal immigrants settling in Manipur, he said.

Further, the situation in the State is not conducive for an operation like the census, he said.

Census must be conducted only after NRC is updated and all the internally displaced persons are allowed to return to their original places of residence, he added.

Boycotting census operations in areas under Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency, Apunba Kshetrigao Nupi Lamjing Lup also echoed a similar demand for updating the NRC first.

Speaking to media persons at the Thambalkhong Meira Shanglen, the lup's secretary, Pangambam ongbi Anita, said all residents of the Constituency are advised against taking part in any census related operations.

Those who are found taking part in census related operations shall bear the responsibility of consequences that may arise, she said.

The demand to update the NRC is legitimate, and is a means to protect the future of the State and the indigenous peoples.

The Government must update the NRC prior to the census, she said.

Census operations will be allowed only after the NRC is updated and IDPs are allowed to return to their homes, she added.

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