Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Centre Defers Manipur Census Following Demands for NRC
The government planned to count households and people in Manipur.
Some groups wanted the National Register of Citizens, or NRC, to be completed first.
They said counting people before that could create problems about who belongs in the state.
The government held a meeting led by Home Minister Amit Shah.
After the meeting, it decided to delay the census in Manipur.
The delay happened just before house listing was due to start on September 1.
Meitei and Naga groups supported waiting for the NRC, while the Kuki-Zo Council disagreed.
Manipur’s chief minister thanked people who campaigned for the change and asked everyone to use talks instead of shutdowns.
The Union government deferred census operations in Manipur after a review meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
The decision came one day before house listing was scheduled to begin in the state on September 1.
Civil society organisations and supporters demanded that the National Register of Citizens be implemented or updated before the census.
Meitei and Naga groups opposed conducting a census without an NRC, while the Kuki-Zo Council took the opposite position.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh thanked central leaders and urged groups to pursue dialogue rather than strikes or shutdowns.
- Who
- The Union government, Home Minister Amit Shah, Manipur officials, civil society organisations and community groups were involved.
- What
- Census operations in Manipur were deferred until after consideration of demands for implementing or updating the National Register of Citizens first.
- When
- The decision was reported on August 31, one day before house listing was scheduled to begin on September 1.
- Where
- The census would have taken place in Manipur; the review meeting was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.
- Why
- The government said it was responding to the feelings and aspirations of people demanding an NRC before the census.
Supporters of NRC Before Census
Opposing Position
Order of exercises
Supporters of NRC Before Census
Meitei and Naga groups, along with civil society organisations, said the NRC should be implemented or updated before the census. They expressed concern that a census without an NRC could lead to demographic changes linked to alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar.
Opposing Position
The Kuki-Zo Council took the opposite stand on the demand to require an NRC before the census.
Response to the deferral
Supporters of NRC Before Census
The Manipur chief minister, former Chief Minister N Biren Singh and NRC campaigners welcomed the decision as recognition of the concerns and aspirations of the state’s people.
Opposing Position
The reports do not give a detailed response from the Kuki-Zo Council to the government’s decision.
Methods of protest
Supporters of NRC Before Census
The chief minister said civil society groups should continue engaging with the government and pursuing their demands through dialogue.
Opposing Position
The chief minister cautioned that bandhs and general strikes would create hardship for ordinary citizens rather than advance legitimate demands.
- Decision
- The Union government deferred the proposed census operations in Manipur.
- Review meeting
- The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Scheduled start
- House listing was scheduled to begin in Manipur on September 1.
- Main demand
- Civil society organisations sought implementation or updating of the National Register of Citizens before the census.
- Meeting participants
- Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan attended.
- Campaign
- Leaders of 14 civil society organisations and a delegation of BJP MLAs had campaigned in New Delhi for an NRC in Manipur.
- Court proceedings
- The Manipur High Court was informed of the decision, and the case was scheduled to be heard again on October 12.
Sources
No Census In Manipur: Centre Defers Exercise After Protests Over NRC
Centre Defers Census in Manipur After High-level Review Meeting Chaired By Amit Shah
Centre Defers Census In Manipur Following NRC Demand By Civil Society Groups
