SKL demands halt to Census preparations, says NRC updation must come first
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, August 19 2026: Salaai Kanba Lup (SKL) has called for an immediate halt to all preparations for conducting the Census in Manipur, asserting that updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) must precede the Census exercise.

In a statement, SKL welcomed reports of a team of ruling MLAs visiting New Delhi in connection with the demand for NRC and expressed hope that the initiative would yield a positive outcome.

Referring to a recent statement by Manipur Government spokesperson Dr Sapam Ranjan that the government shares the grievances of the people, SKL urged the government to demonstrate its commitment through concrete action rather than words.

The organisation also urged the government to abandon the practice of responding to public grievances only after movements and agitations are launched.

SKL expressed concern over the reported preparations for the Census, particularly the training of government school teachers in both the hills and valley areas.

It questioned the decision to engage a large number of teachers in Census-related training, leaving only three or four teachers in some schools to manage academic activities.

The organisation said the move was particularly concerning when many government schools were already facing acute shortages of teachers and inadequate infrastructure.

It questioned how parents could be expected to send their children to government schools when there were insufficient teachers and basic facilities.

SKL demanded that the Census training for teachers be postponed indefinitely and maintained that such training should be conducted only after NRC updation.

It further suggested that, if required.

Census training for teachers should be conducted during school vacations so that academic activities and students' education are not affected.

The organisation appealed to the government to take decisions in the larger interest of the State after careful consideration, cautioning against what it described as arbitrary decision-making.

It also reminded the government that its primary responsibility is to work for the welfare of the people.

Comment