Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Manipur Census Debate Deepens Over NRC and Political Representation
Manipur is preparing for a population count called the Census in 2027.
Some groups want the government to check people’s citizenship before that count through an NRC.
The Kuki-Zo Council says the Census should happen first so the government can learn the facts about population changes.
It says citizenship checks should later be conducted across the country and according to the law.
The council also says claims about many illegal immigrants have not been supported by reliable evidence.
Tensions between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities have continued, with the council reporting killings and burned villages.
The council says the current state government has not kept Kuki-Zo people safe.
It is therefore asking for President’s Rule to return to Manipur.
The Kuki-Zo Council opposes conducting a National Register of Citizens before the 2027 Census, calling the proposal legally questionable and premature.
Meitei groups, political leaders and sections of Naga leadership have demanded an NRC before the Census and delimitation process.
The KZC says claims of large-scale illegal immigration and abnormal population growth require credible Census data rather than political assertions.
The council alleges that Naga armed groups have killed more than 20 Kuki-Zo people and burned more than 15 villages since the beginning of 2026.
The KZC now seeks the reimposition of President’s Rule, saying violence has continued under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s government.
- Who
- The Kuki-Zo Council, Meitei civil society groups and political leaders, sections of Naga leadership, and the Manipur government led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
- What
- A political dispute over whether a National Register of Citizens should precede the 2027 Census and future delimitation in Manipur.
- When
- The dispute concerns the delayed 2027 Census; the KZC also refers to violence since the beginning of 2026.
- Where
- Manipur, including the Naga-dominated district of Senapati and the Imphal valley.
- Why
- The sides disagree over how to address alleged illegal immigration, population growth, citizenship verification and political representation amid continuing intercommunity violence.
Kuki-Zo Council
NRC Supporters
Order of Census and NRC
Kuki-Zo Council
The KZC says the Census should come first because it is the proper instrument for establishing demographic facts, and calls an NRC beforehand premature and unjustified.
NRC Supporters
Meitei groups, political leaders and sections of Naga leadership want an NRC before the Census and delimitation to identify alleged illegal immigrants and address population concerns.
Scope of citizenship verification
Kuki-Zo Council
The KZC argues that an NRC should not be conducted only in Manipur because it is a national exercise and says a state-specific process could be discriminatory.
NRC Supporters
Supporters of conducting the exercise in Manipur are reported to focus on concerns linked to its international border and alleged immigration from Myanmar.
State government and security
Kuki-Zo Council
The KZC says the current government has failed to protect Kuki-Zo people and wants President’s Rule restored; it reports 20 Kuki-Zo deaths during the tenure of Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
NRC Supporters
The elected state government has replaced President’s Rule, while Kuki-Zo representatives who returned to the Assembly remain part of the state’s political process.
- Census timing
- The Centre has decided to proceed with the delayed 2027 Census.
- KZC position
- The Kuki-Zo Council wants the Census completed before any NRC or citizenship-verification exercise.
- NRC demands
- Meitei groups, political leaders and sections of Naga leadership have called for an NRC before the Census and delimitation.
- KZC condition
- The council says it would not object to nationwide citizenship verification if it is evidence-based, uniform and lawful.
- Reported Kuki-Zo deaths
- The KZC says more than 20 Kuki-Zo people have been killed in attacks involving Naga armed groups since the beginning of 2026.
- Reported village burnings
- The KZC says more than 15 Kuki-Zo villages have been burned during the same period.
- Government demand
- The KZC is calling for President’s Rule to be reimposed in Manipur.