Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Manipur Assembly Seeks NRC Update Before Census Over Demographic Concerns
The Manipur Assembly wants the government to update a list of citizens before carrying out a census.
A census is an exercise that counts people.
Some Meitei and Naga groups worry that people who entered from Myanmar illegally could change the state’s population figures.
They say an updated National Register of Citizens could help address this concern.
The assembly has made this request three times since 2022.
The Centre deferred the census exercise in Manipur on Monday.
A Kuki-Zo organisation criticized that decision.
It said the decision was made without listening to the Kuki-Zo community.
The Manipur Assembly adopted a resolution urging the Centre to update the NRC before conducting the census in the state.
The resolution reaffirmed earlier assembly resolutions passed on August 5, 2022, and March 1, 2024.
This is the third resolution on the issue adopted by the assembly since 2022.
Meitei and Naga communities fear a census without an updated NRC could enable demographic changes linked to alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar.
A Kuki-Zo organisation questioned the Centre’s decision to defer the census exercise, saying the community’s views were ignored.
- Who
- The Manipur Assembly, the Centre, Meitei and Naga communities, and a Kuki-Zo organisation.
- What
- The assembly urged the Centre to update the National Register of Citizens before conducting the census in Manipur.
- When
- The resolution was adopted on Wednesday; the Centre deferred the exercise on Monday. Earlier resolutions were passed on August 5, 2022, and March 1, 2024.
- Where
- Manipur, India.
- Why
- Meitei and Naga communities cited concerns about demographic changes linked to alleged illegal immigration from neighbouring Myanmar, while a Kuki-Zo organisation objected to the deferral decision.
NRC Supporters
Kuki-Zo Critics
Updating the NRC before the census
NRC Supporters
The Manipur Assembly, reflecting concerns attributed to Meitei and Naga communities, says the NRC should be updated before the census to address possible demographic changes and alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar.
Kuki-Zo Critics
A Kuki-Zo organisation questioned the Centre’s handling of the census decision and alleged that the community’s views were ignored.
The Centre’s census deferral
NRC Supporters
The assembly’s resolution supports delaying the census until the NRC is updated in Manipur.
Kuki-Zo Critics
The Kuki-Zo organisation criticized the Centre’s decision to defer the census exercise, saying it was made without adequate community input.
- Resolution status
- The Manipur Assembly adopted the resolution on Wednesday.
- Number of resolutions
- This was the third assembly resolution on the issue since 2022.
- Earlier resolutions
- The assembly passed earlier resolutions on August 5, 2022, and March 1, 2024.
- Assembly speaker
- Speaker Th Satyabrata Singh announced the resolution.
- Centre’s action
- The Centre deferred the census exercise in Manipur on Monday.
- Stated concern
- Meitei and Naga communities cited possible demographic changes connected to alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar.
- Opposition
- A Kuki-Zo organisation said the decision to defer the census ignored the community’s voice.