Union Government Defers Manipur Census Amid NRC Demands and Ethnic Violence

The Union government has decided to defer the 2027 Census in Manipur following a review meeting involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah and state officials. The decision comes amid mounting pressure from Meitei and Naga organizations demanding that a National Register of Citizens (NRC) be implemented before any population enumeration occurs. The Manipur High Court has also directed that the house listing exercise be kept in abeyance until October 12 while it hears petitions regarding the NRC.

Despite the announcement, the Campaign for Justice and Fair Delimitation (JFD) enforced a 24 hour general strike on Tuesday that paralyzed the Imphal Valley. Protesters and vendors at the Khwairamband Ima Market demanded that the Registrar General of India issue a formal gazette notification to confirm the deferment. The JFD and other groups argue that a Census conducted without an NRC could record demographic changes caused by illegal immigration from Myanmar or the displacement of people since the ethnic violence began in May 2023.

While Meitei and Naga groups advocate for the NRC to prevent demographic shifts, the Kuki Zo Council has opposed the move. The council describes the demand as premature and unjustified, citing the legal challenges and exclusions experienced during the NRC process in Assam. Meanwhile, violence continues in the region. The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long reported that unknown extremists attacked four Naga villages in the Kangpokpi district on Tuesday, resulting in the shooting of a pastor and the torching of houses. The group attributed these attacks to Kuki militants, alleging an attempt to effect demographic change through force.