Manipur Protests Surge as Centre Proceeds With Census Without NRC

The Union government's decision to conduct the 2027 Census without first completing a National Register of Citizens (NRC) has triggered an intense wave of protests across Manipur. The Meitei and Naga communities have refused to accept the exercise, while the Kuki-Zo Council has supported the government's position.

Protesters, including Meira Paibi women's groups and local organisations, held torch rallies across the Imphal Valley on Sunday night. Marches were reported at Mapham, Babu Bazar, Kongba Bazar, Tentha, and along the Kwakeithel Bazar to Keishampat stretch. At Tokpaching in Kakching district, women carried flaming torches in a rally organised by the All Tokpaching Welfare Association, Meira Paibi Khunai Kanba Lup, and student bodies.

Slogans such as “No NRC, No Census”, “Manipur's identity cannot be destroyed”, and “No Census until internally displaced persons are resettled” were raised. The protesters argue that a Census without an updated NRC would lead to an inaccurate count of the state's indigenous populations. They have also demanded that displaced persons be returned to their native villages before any enumeration takes place.

Salam Ongbi Dukanchaobi, Secretary of the Meira Paibi of the All Tokpaching Welfare Association, said the community had taken a firm stand. She warned that if the government proceeded with the Census, it would be responsible for any consequences, a statement that reflects the deep frustration among the groups.

The weekend demonstrations follow a 48-hour boycott of government offices called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD). On Saturday, around 2,000 women joined a torch rally at Keishampat junction in Imphal West. Officials reported lock-ins at the Lilong Nagar Panchayat office, CGST offices at Thambalkhong and Andro Parking, and the SDO office at Waikhong. Similar actions had taken place a day earlier at the DC office in Bishnupur and some banks.

Educational institutions have also witnessed sit-ins and rallies. JFD student co-convener Denil Yumlembam criticised the Education Department's decision to shut institutions, saying it had not addressed student concerns about the Census. He also appealed to governments to ensure students are not assaulted during peaceful protests.

However, the demand for an NRC before the Census is not unanimous. The Kuki-Zo Council has taken a contrary position, maintaining that the Census can proceed without it. This reflects the complex ethnic dynamics in Manipur, where different communities have different concerns about demographic changes and voting patterns.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has publicly backed the demand for an NRC first. A team of BJP legislators from Manipur has been in New Delhi to raise the issue with the Union government. Former chief minister N Biren Singh has also met central leaders, according to reports.

The Census is a constitutional exercise that determines parliamentary seat allocation and government planning. The NRC, which is a register of lawful citizens, has been a contentious issue in Manipur, as many groups fear that without a proper update, the Census could be used to dilute the indigenous character of the state. The Central government has not yet responded to the renewed protests, and the situation remains tense with more demonstrations expected in the coming days.