Thoubal, March 31: A large number of people staged a protest demonstration on Tuesday at Babu Keithel, demanding that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be implemented before conducting any new census exercise.
The protest was organised by the Meitei Community Joint Coordinating Committee (MCJCC), representing Waithou, Kiyam, Kiyam Siphai, Haokha, and Thoubal Khunou. Participants gathered at the market area and voiced strong opposition to conducting a census without first identifying illegal immigrants.
Speaking at the protest, Women’s Wing Secretary Pebam Indirani stated that the government’s attempt to conduct a census in the current situation is unacceptable. She pointed out that since the last census in 2011, there has been a significant and unexplained increase in population in Manipur. She further noted that even Union Home Minister Amit Shah has acknowledged the issue of illegal immigration in the state.
Indirani emphasised that conducting a census without properly identifying and segregating illegal immigrants would not yield accurate data. Highlighting population trends, she questioned the abnormal growth rate, citing that while the population in valley areas increased by around 18 percent, hill areas saw an increase of about 60 percent—raising concerns over demographic imbalance.
She also mentioned that ongoing ethnic tensions over the past three years have displaced many families, making it difficult for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their homes. Under such circumstances, conducting a fair and accurate census is not feasible.
The protestors demanded that:
- NRC must be implemented before conducting the census
- Illegal immigrants must be identified and removed from the records
- Internally displaced persons should be rehabilitated in their original homes
- Free movement along National Highways must be ensured
Placards carrying slogans such as “Census After NRC,” “Identify Illegal Immigrants,” “Rehabilitate IDPs,” and “Ensure Free Movement on National Highways” were displayed during the demonstration.
