A day-long discourse on ‘NRC updation in Manipur: Problems & Prospects’ was held in Imphal on Sunday.
The purpose of this discourse is to gain understanding and justify the necessity of NRC (National Register of Citizens).
The discourse was organized by the Ethno Heritage Council (Hericoun), a civil society organization based in Manipur and panel discussion was moderated by cultural activist Ningthouja Lancha.
Sharing his view during the discourse which was attended by representatives of various civil society organizations, students’ organizations leaders, intellectuals, women leaders and others, Prof RK Narendra, head of department of Bio-Statistics, RIMS Imphal expressed the need to have constitutional protection to protect the interest of the native people of Manipur.
Speaking on ‘Exigency of NRC updation in Manipur’, Prof Narendra said that the state also needs a population policy apart from instituting a state population commission.
On ‘NRC in Assam and its implications from Manipur perspective,’ Dr Chinglen Meisnam of Manipur University informed the gathering that to have a think tank on the issue besides establishing a study centre on migration in the region. Dr Chinglen also emphasized the need to have time to time skill development programmes for the local population and developed work culture among the youths.
Commenting on the issues relating to ‘Impact of migration to the existence of the Native people’, former social activist turned farmer Artax A Shimray expressed the need to change people’s mindset to have a change in order to protect the native people. At the same time the system in the governance has to change to prevent malpractices. A political will and the people’s voice on this is need of the hour, he said.
A retired police officer turned social worker Sonamani also appealed for the smooth implementation of the public decisions in the interest of the future generation.
The discourse also recommended NRC updation as a step to protect the native people and establishment of Manipur state population commission in the state to create policy and programme to control the illegal immigrants.