Threadbare discussion held on NRC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 02 2026: In line with the people's growing demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with respect to Manipur, a thorough discussion was held today at Manipur Film Development Society (MFDS), Palace Compound today under the aegis of All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA).

Speaking at the "Sensitization on NRC", well known demograapher Prof RK Narendra said that no NRC can be updated based on the 1951 census data.

During the census exercise of 1951, enumerators in Manipur were given NRC forms (19,605 in number) in addition to the census forms and an additional sum of Rs 2194 was sanctioned for the extra work, he said.

Census exercise is basically about ascertaining the number of residents.

But in NRC, personnel details of each and every resident will be collected and verified, he said.

The demographer underscored the need to form an expert committee in order to see that NRC is updated in Manipur.

Prof Narendra said that no NRC was done in any State of India except Assam even though additional forms for NRC were given to the census enumerators of Manipur.

It is imperative to first decide whether the NRC should be updated or a fresh NRC should be compiled, he said.

He asked whether the people of Manipur will accept if the Government of India makes a proposal to go for a fresh NRC based on the data of NPR 2010 .

To an RTI application filed by one Khoirom Gourashyam, the Registrar General of India replied that there is no record of carrying NRC during the census exercise of 1951, Prof Narendra said.

He also called upon all concerned to look into what can be done legally so that the NRC is updated in Manipur.

Lok Sabha Member Dr Bimol Akoijam asserted that no NRC can be updated based on the census data of 1951 or the electoral roll of 1948.The Government of India will never accept that there was an electoral roll in Manipur before the Indian Constitution was adopted.

The question of premerger status will never be accepted by the Government of India, he said.

Illegal immigrants will snatch all the political rights of indigenous people if the NRC is not updated or compiled afresh with respect to Manipur before it is too late, the Parliamentarian warned.

It is essential to study the feasibility of using 'legacy data' from the electoral rolls of either 1952 or 1957, Dr Bimol said.

He said that foreigners can be identified by constituting a tribunal under the Foreigners' Act.

The Centre has already authorised the State to do so.

More than 80,000 foreigners were deported between 2004 and 2014 when there was UPA Government at the Centre.

But the BJP-led NDA Government could identify only 5000 foreigners across the country from 2014 to 2024, the Congress MP said.

Retired IAS officer RK Nimai said that the process of NRC will be applied to all communities living in the State including Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, Pangals etc.

He asserted that NRC can be done based on any census data or the National Population Register (NPR) of 2010.Immigration into Manipur has been going on in waves after waves.

Many new villages have been emerging at Moreh and the adjoining areas but the Government of Manipur is unable to check it, RK Nimai said.

He stressed the need to constitute a full-time expert committee to study materials needed for updating NRC in Manipur.

It is imperative to check settlement of illegal immigrants from Myanmar within Manipur as well as the rights and benefits enjoyed by them.

The Government of India's provision of free food support, free education, scholarship and job quota under ST category has been encouraging waves after waves of immigration from Chin State of Myanmar to Manipur, he said.

He asserted that this influx can be deterred if the rights and benefits given to the immigrants are cut off.

Prof Y Premananda of Department of Law, MU said that strong pressure must be exerted upon both the RGI and the State Government to issue a gazette notification for updating NRC in Manipur.

There were strong mass movements in both Manipur and Assam for identification and deportation of illegal immigrants but the mass movement in Manipur went into a state of comatose after some time.

But Assam sustained the momentum and also took legal recourse and thus succeeded in amending the Constitution and updating the NRC, Prof Premananda said.

As done in Assam, it is imperative to file a petition at the Supreme Court in order to see that NRC is updated in Manipur, he said.

Ahead of updating the NRC, the Government of Assam brought out a white paper saying that a large number of foreigners had settled illegally in Assam.

However, the Government of Manipur is still unable to bring out a white paper on the influx and settlement of illegal immigrants in Manipur, he remarked before urging the State Government to bring out a white paper on the issue.

He asserted that updating the NRC can be a reality in Manipur if the State Government works sincerely and with commitment and vision in the interest of the indigenous people.

If the NRC is not updated in time, Manipur will be dominated by illegal immigrants and all the indigenous people will be wiped out, he said.

The programme was moderated by senior Advocate Khaidem Mani.

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