Guwahati: The Union government has deferred the Census exercise in Manipur following a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Monday.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), reviewed the situation in Manipur and discussed the demand from people in the state to defer the Census until the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is implemented.
The meeting was attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and other senior officials.
The decision to defer the Census was taken after considering the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Manipur.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah and other central leaders for hearing the concerns of the people of the state. He also thanked BJP national president Nitin Nabin for his continued support on the issue.
Taking to X, Singh wrote, “I express my sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, and other central leaders for fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the state by deferring Census operations in Manipur.”
“I also appreciate the efforts of the leaders of 14 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the delegation of BJP MLAs, who recently campaigned in New Delhi. Their regular engagement with central leaders and officials has resulted in today’s decision,” Singh wrote.
“I reassure the people of Manipur that both the Manipur government and the Union government remain committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the state,” Singh added.
Singh credited the leaders of 14 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and a delegation of BJP MLAs, who had recently campaigned in New Delhi for the implementation of the NRC in Manipur, for their role in the outcome. He said their sustained engagement with central leaders and officials had led to Monday’s decision.
The Chief Minister said bandhs and general strikes would not help in pressing demands before the government and would only add to the hardship of common people. He urged civil society groups to continue the dialogue and extend full cooperation to the administration in addressing the state’s socio-political challenges. He said issues were better resolved through consultation with the government.
The first phase of Census 2027, covering house listing and housing operations, was scheduled to begin in Manipur on September 1 and continue through September 30. Training of enumerators had already been disrupted amid protests.
Meitei and Naga groups have demanded that an NRC exercise, preferably using 1951 as the base year, precede the Census. They have cited concerns over alleged illegal immigration, demographic changes and the large-scale displacement caused by the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023.
The Kuki-Zo Council has opposed the demand to delay the Census, arguing that an impartial population count is necessary to establish verified demographic facts.
The Centre has not announced a fresh date for conducting the Census in Manipur.
The decision also comes as the Manipur High Court is examining petitions concerning the Census and the demand for an NRC. A Division Bench heard the matter on Monday, with the next hearing scheduled for October 12, according to Shanta Nahakpam, convenor of 14 civil society organisations.