IMPHAL | Thousands of people participated in a mass rally in Manipur’s Imphal on Monday, demanding the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before any future census exercise is conducted in the state.

The demonstration was jointly organised by 14 civil society organisations under the banner of 14 CSOs Kangleipak. The rally commenced from Tiddim Ground in Imphal West and culminated at THAU Ground, where a public meeting was held.

The gathering drew participation from a wide cross-section of society, including students, youth groups, internally displaced persons, artists and members of indigenous communities. Protesters carried placards bearing slogans such as “Only updation of NRC can save Manipur,” “No NRC, No Census,” “Do not neglect Manipur State,” and “Until NRC 1951 update, don’t conduct census.”

Addressing the public meeting, convenor of 14 CSOs Kangleipak, Shanta Nahakpam, alleged that the Centre had repeatedly overlooked demands for NRC updation in Manipur despite expressing concerns over illegal immigration in other parts of the country.

He referred to a recent notification issued by the Government of India constituting a high-powered committee to examine demographic changes in various states and submit its findings to the Union Home Ministry within a year. Nahakpam argued that Manipur’s unique circumstances warranted special consideration, citing its international border, existing peace accords with different groups and concerns regarding demographic shifts.

According to Nahakpam, updating the NRC is essential to ensure the credibility of any future delimitation exercise in the state. He contended that delimitation carried out without addressing alleged discrepancies in population records could have implications for the political representation and constitutional safeguards of indigenous communities.

The civil society leader also urged the Centre to include a representative agency from the Manipur government in the newly constituted committee examining demographic changes, maintaining that local participation would be necessary for an accurate assessment of the state’s concerns.

Highlighting what he described as Manipur’s distinct challenges, Nahakpam pointed to issues arising from the porous India-Myanmar border, illegal immigration and alleged cross-border narco-trafficking networks operating in the region.

The rally concluded with participants reiterating their demand that the NRC be updated before any census process is undertaken in Manipur.