IMPHAL | Leaders of 14 civil society organisations and other groups from Manipur met Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi on Monday and sought his intervention on issues related to the Census, citizenship and delimitation.

The delegation, led by convenor Nahakpam Santa, met Rijiju at his official residence and submitted a memorandum outlining their demands. Manipur Government spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam was also present during the meeting.

The delegation called for the conduct of the Census and measures to ensure proper identification of Indian citizens. It proposed 1951 as the base year for the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur. The groups also sought a freeze on the delimitation exercise until the Census is completed and citizenship status is determined.

The delegation argued that clarity on population figures and citizenship status was necessary before undertaking any delimitation exercise in the state. Rijiju assured the representatives that their concerns regarding the Census and other demands would be discussed with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He also assured them that the issues raised in the memorandum would be given due consideration.

The delegation comprised representatives of organisations from several communities, including Meitei, Kabui, Kom, Muslim and Rongmei Naga groups. Representatives of organisations working for internally displaced persons (IDPs) were also part of the delegation.

The meeting comes amid continuing debate in Manipur over the Census, citizenship documentation and the proposed delimitation exercise, with various civil society groups seeking safeguards for the state’s demographic and electoral interests.