March 22, 2026 (IMP): The Republican Party of India (Athawale)’s Manipur Chief Maheshwar Thounaojam called on the concerned authorities to implement the NRC based on 1915 ahead of the Census 2027 exercise to sort out illegal immigrants from the state.
Addressing the media on Sunday, the RPI (A) Chief informed that the state is at a crucial juncture, as the general election is also approaching; if the election is held without NRC, then it will serve as a chance for illegal immigrants to become legitimate citizens.
Maheshwar also stated that, as mentioned in the R.B. Vaghaiwalla – Census of India 1951, Volume 11 (Assam, Manipur & Tripura), the process of NRC and census operation preparation in 1951 had already started, as reflected in the expenditure records. He added that the state government’s agreement with AMSU in 1994 clearly mentioned detecting illegal immigrants through NRC 1951, census records 1951, village directory records 1951, and electoral roll records 1948, but it is still pending.
With elections approaching, there is a looming threat of illegal immigrants contesting and potentially gaining power, undermining the rights of indigenous people. Prioritising NRC 1951 to ensure fair representation and protection of Manipur’s original inhabitants has now become imperative.
