Imphal | The eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly opened on Wednesday amid uproar over demands for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census, even as two Kuki-Zo legislators returned to the House in person for the first time in more than three years.

The morning sitting was disrupted after senior Opposition leader and former Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh raised a point of order in connection with an adjournment motion. Opposition members subsequently pressed for a discussion on the demand to conduct the NRC before the Census exercise.

As the protests and disruptions continued, Speaker Th Satyabrata adjourned the House till 2 pm. The session, however, witnessed a significant development when Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen and Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing attended the Assembly in Imphal physically.

Their presence marked the first time Kuki-Zo legislators have participated in Assembly proceedings in person in Imphal since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. Kuki MLAs have largely been attending proceedings virtually since the conflict began.

Kipgen said he was happy to return to the Assembly after a prolonged gap. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh welcomed the return of the two legislators, describing it as a positive development and a sign of hope for the state.

“This is a good sign from people’s representatives, and it is a welcome step,” Singh said. The Chief Minister attributed the development to the state government’s efforts to bridge the trust deficit between communities and reiterated his government’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and reconciliation.

He expressed hope that collective efforts by political representatives and communities would help steer Manipur towards peace. The return of the two Kuki-Zo MLAs came despite a call from the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex Kuki civil body, asking all 10 Kuki-Zo legislators to stay away from the Assembly session.

The organisation had maintained that participation in the House could project an impression of normalcy despite the absence of a political settlement to address the community’s concerns.

Packed legislative agenda

Apart from the NRC-related controversy, the session has a packed legislative agenda, with several Bills and resolutions scheduled to be taken up. Under Calling Attention, MLA K Ranjit Singh is scheduled to raise concerns over a reported proposal for a land-swap deal between India and Myanmar and its possible implications.

MLA K Meghachandra Singh is slated to draw the House’s attention to alleged atrocities during the past two years, including the abduction and subsequent killing of women and children in Jiribam, the Tronglaobi bomb attack that killed two children, the killing of three Kuki church leaders at Saheibung and the Imphal-Tamei road ambush in which four Naga civilians were killed.

The Assembly will also consider the first batch of Demands for Supplementary Grants for 2026-27 and the 11th Report of the Business Advisory Committee.

Among the key Bills listed for introduction are the Manipur Right to Business and Investment Facilitation Bill, 2026; the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland (Third Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Manipur AYUSH Council Bill, 2026; and the Manipur Unified (Trade, Shop and Establishment Licensing) Bill, 2026.

Amendments to the state’s Shops and Establishments and Town and Country Planning laws are also on the agenda.

Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen is scheduled to introduce the Manipur Panchayati Raj (Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2026, while Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh will seek leave to introduce the Manipur Fire and Emergency Service Bill, 2026.

The House is also scheduled to consider a resolution seeking withdrawal of the Factories (Manipur Amendment) Bill, 2022, and another proposing adoption of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024. Two CAG reports covering the state’s finances and its general, social, economic and revenue sectors are also scheduled to be taken up.

The session will also include obituary references to four former legislators.

The Assembly session comes against the backdrop of renewed political debate over the NRC and the Centre’s recent decision to defer the 2027 Census in Manipur. Chief Minister Singh has said the deferment was made in accordance with the wishes of the people and followed repeated demands for an NRC to be carried out before the Census.