KIMACS, women's groups demand NRC before Census in Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 21 2026: Several civil society groups in Manipur held protests on Friday, calling for an update to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census is carried out in the State.

In solidarity with the demands raised by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), members of the Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society (KIMACS) staged a sit-in protest in front of the KIMACS head office at Palace Compound, Imphal.

Carrying placards that read "No NRC, No Census", the protesters expressed their support for the JFD's ongoing campaign.

KIMACS, women's groups demand NRC before Census in Manipur

KIMACS Vice President Thangjam Surja said foreigners who have entered and settled in Manipur must first be identified through an NRC, after which only the genuine residents of the State should be counted in the Census.

He said the State Government's move to conduct the Census without an NRC does not reflect the wishes of KIMACS.

"Conducting the Census without first completing the NRC will create serious problems for Manipur.

The Centre and the State Government should take up the NRC process at the earliest", he added.

In a separate protest, the Apunba Nupi Marup Chaokhat Thourang Kanglup, Sega Road Thouda Bhabok Leikai, along with a local club, organised a sit-in at Thouda Bhabok Leikai carrying the slogan "No NRC, No Census" .

Apunba Nupi Marup Chaokhat Thourang Kanglup president Soraisam Ashalata said the protest was to convey to the Government that the Census should not be held before the NRC .

She stated that going ahead with the Census at this time amounts to rejection of the people's demand.

Ashalata further appealed to the Chief Minister and MLAs to take the public movement to Central leaders.

She warned that if the Census is conducted without an NRC, Manipur's identity and future generations will be at risk.

Citing that over 60,000 people remain displaced across the State, she said holding the Census at this juncture would amount to conceding that Manipur has been lost.

Both groups urged the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to prioritise the NRC process to identify illegal immigrants before undertaking the Census exercise.