IMPHAL | Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday chaired an all-party meeting to discuss updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, with political leaders and civil society representatives stressing the need to safeguard indigenous identity and security.

The meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat was attended by senior leaders of the BJP and Congress, besides representatives of civil society organisations, officials said. According to an official statement, the participants discussed various issues concerning the state, with the NRC emerging as a key subject in the context of protecting Manipur’s indigenous population and its future.

Khemchand heard suggestions and concerns from representatives of different political parties and civil society groups. The meeting ended on a positive note, the statement said. In a social media post after the meeting, the chief minister said the participants had discussed several issues concerning Manipur, including updating the NRC “in the interest of the people” of the state.

The meeting comes amid a continuing debate in Manipur over the identification of indigenous residents and measures to address concerns over migration and demographic change.