Assembly resolution of 2022 cited to stress Govt's position
MLAs to go to Delhi to urge NRC updation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 18 2026: Citing concerns over illegal immigration, Government spokespersons MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan and MLA Dr Thokchom Radheshyam stated that a delegation of ruling MLAs will visit New Delhi tomorrow to urge the Central leadership to update the NRC ahead of the census exercise.

According to them, it, however, has not yet been decided which Central leaders the delegation will meet.

Addressing the media at DIPR auditorium at Nityaipat Chuthek today, Dr Ranjan said that the Government had taken resolutions on different occasions to update the NRC similar to the demand being raised by different civil society organisations and the public.

Assembly resolution of 2022 cited to stress Govt's position

The MLA recalled that the Manipur Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution on August 5, 2022, urging that the NRC be taken up in the State and the resolution was subsequently reaffirmed by the Assembly on March 1, 2024 .

He also said that the Government remains serious about the issues concerning the NRC and census and stands with the people of Manipur in addressing the concerns.

The spokesperson emphasised that the Government would convey the aspirations of the people to the Central leadership.

The Government has been working to defer the census under the supervision of the Chief Minister, even though the self-enumeration process for house-listing was scheduled to begin yesterday, he said and added that the matter has also been apprised to the Governor and other top officials.

He stated that the issue has remained a long standing concern of the State Government and that efforts have been continuously pursued through correspondence with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Saying that the Government has also been holding discussions on measures to prevent illegal immigration and the establishment of unauthorised villages, he added that a letter was submitted to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, when he was the Union Home Secretary, regarding the resolution passed by the State Assembly on January 16, 2023 to update the NRC .

He said a reply to the letter was received from the Union Home Ministry on February 6, 2023 .

Dr Ranjan said that another letter was sent to the Union Home Secretary on June 12, 2024, as a reminder regarding the matter.

He stressed that the issue should be addressed collectively, irrespective of political party, community or other differences, as it concerns the future of the State and its people.

Reiterating that the Government acknowledges the demand of civil society organisations and the people of Manipur that NRC should be updated before the census, he added that the Government would continue to pursue the matter with the Central Government and make every effort to ensure that the demand is considered.

On the ongoing bandh and protests, he acknowledged that peaceful protest is a democratic right.

However, he appealed to the protesters to express their grievances peacefully and democratically without resorting to violence or causing inconvenience to the general public, students and people whose livelihoods may be affected by the disruptions.

Regarding the NRC process, he stated that the matter requires discussion and consideration at various levels and that several aspects may need to be addressed before the NRC can be taken up.

He expressed hope that positive developments would emerge through continued efforts and dialogue.

Dr Ranjan further stated that the efforts should remain a collective endeavour and not be viewed through the lens of political parties, communities or religions.

He expressed confidence that continued engagement with the Central leadership would yield a positive outcome.

When asked whether the State Cabinet would be expanded before the Assembly session scheduled to begin on September 2, Dr Ranjan said, "Let today's discussion be solely about the NRC" .

To another media query, MLA Thokchom Radheshyam, who is a Government spokesperson, said that the delegation of ruling MLAs had booked their tickets to visit New Delhi before the ongoing bandh was called.

When asked about the members of the delegation visiting New Delhi and the Central leaders they would meet, he said the delegation would press for updating the NRC before the census with whichever Central leaders they are able to meet.

It, however, has not yet been decided which Central leaders the delegation will meet, he said, Regarding reports of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the demand to update the NRC, he said whether ruling MLAs pursue the demand as a group or individually, the objective is to secure the future of Manipur.

He said the Government had been working towards updating the NRC and, as such, it would be incorrect to assume that the Government had taken up the issue only at the last moment.

The spokesperson emphasised that people across Manipur want the NRC to be updated before proceeding with the Census, and the State Government shares the same view, as the demand is aimed at safeguarding the State.

Saying that the State Assembly and the Cabinet had adopted resolutions on different occasions to update the NRC, he added that the Government would never act against the interests of the people.

He emphasised that the Government and civil society organisations (CSOs) must work together to ensure that the NRC is updated before the Census exercise begins.

MLAs Th Shyamkumar, P Brojen, T Robindro, S Premchandra, S Kunjakeshwor, Th Shanti and Ashab Uddin also attended the press briefing among others.

Notably, the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation has been urging the Government to defer the Census until the NRC is updated, to prevent illegal immigrants from being included in the Census.