Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Kuki-Zo Council Challenges Census Delay, Seeks President’s Rule
A Kuki-Zo group in Manipur is unhappy that the Census has been delayed.
The group says its community was not included in the decision.
Some Meitei and Naga organisations wanted a population count to happen only after an NRC.
They are worried that people from Myanmar may have entered the state illegally.
The Kuki-Zo Council says violence and killings are still happening.
It believes people felt safer when President’s Rule was in place.
The group wants President’s Rule to return if the state government cannot protect people.
More than 260 people have died and thousands have lost their homes since violence began in May 2023.
The Kuki-Zo Council questioned the Centre’s decision to defer the Census exercise in Manipur.
The group said no Kuki-Zo organisation was involved in the demand for “No Census Before NRC.”
Meitei and Naga organisations reportedly sought an NRC before the Census over concerns about demographic changes and alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar.
The Kuki-Zo Council said attacks and killings continue and demanded the reimposition of President’s Rule.
At least 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced since ethnic violence began in Manipur in May 2023.
- Who
- The Kuki-Zo Council, the Centre, and civil society organisations representing Meitei and Naga communities.
- What
- The Kuki-Zo Council questioned the deferment of the Census in Manipur and demanded the reimposition of President’s Rule.
- When
- The council issued its statement on Tuesday; the ethnic violence began in May 2023.
- Where
- Manipur; the high-level meeting on the Census was held in New Delhi.
- Why
- The council cited the exclusion of Kuki-Zo organisations from the Census decision and alleged that the state government has failed to provide security.
Kuki-Zo Council
Meitei and Naga Organisations
Census and NRC
Kuki-Zo Council
The Kuki-Zo Council says the Census decision ignored the community because no Kuki-Zo organisation joined the demand for “No Census Before NRC.”
Meitei and Naga Organisations
Civil society organisations representing Meitei and Naga communities reportedly want an NRC before the Census because they fear demographic changes caused by alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar.
State Security
Kuki-Zo Council
The Kuki-Zo Council says attacks and killings continue and that people felt safer under President’s Rule than under the current state government.
Meitei and Naga Organisations
The current state government, led by Y Khemchand Singh, replaced President’s Rule after it was lifted on February 4; the article does not provide its response to the council’s allegations.
- Organisation
- Kuki-Zo Council
- Census decision
- The Census exercise in Manipur was deferred.
- Related demand
- Fourteen Meitei and Naga civil society organisations reportedly demanded “No Census Before NRC.”
- Reported death toll
- At least 260 people have been killed since May 2023.
- Displacement
- Thousands have been rendered homeless by the ethnic violence.
- President’s Rule
- It began on February 13, 2025, and was lifted on February 4, when Y Khemchand Singh became chief minister.