JFD's campaign for NRC before census gains momentum
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IMPHAL, May 20: The present conflict in Manipur is a result of uncontrolled illegal immigration from across the border over many decades, and it may continue until the infiltrators and Kuki-Chin narco-terrorists are driven out, said Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) convenor Jeetendra Ningomba today.
Jeetendra made the statement at public meetings held at Sekmai Koujengleima Community Hall, Awang Sekmai and Wangoi Bazar.
The public meetings were part of the JFD's campaign to put pressure on the Government to postpone census related exercises and update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before it.
The Census 2027 exercise is expected to begin in Manipur from August 16, according to Government notification.
Addressing the public, Jeetendra said the present conflict which erupted on May 3, 2023 is being driven by illegal immigrants.
Even when the Government has clear knowledge about the cause of the crisis, it has chosen to ignore the public call to update the NRC and identify illegal immigrants for deportation, Jeetendra said.
A comprehensive exercise to identify and deport illegal immigrants is a must to safeguard Manipur and protect the interests of the indigenous people, he said.
If an exercise like the NRC is not conducted soon, the State may further plunge into a deeper crisis that would mean the end for the indigenous communities, Jeetendra said.
It is the legitimate right and normal for the citizens and civil society organisations of the State to make demands to the Government to protect their rights and interests. The Government should listen to its people and not ignore their aspirations, Jeetendra added.
When the scheduled census operation is an important exercise, the Government should ponder why its citizens and civil society organisations have openly come out strong against it, he said.
While census exercise is expected to bring many benefits and development to the State, carrying out the operation amid the conflict before identification of illegal immigrants could yield negative impacts, the consequences of which could be far reaching and detrimental to the indigenous people, Jeetendra said.
The census exercise must not be held until illegal immigrants who are depriving the genuine citizens of their rights and benefits are identified and deported, Jeetendra said.
Jeetendra made the statement at public meetings held at Sekmai Koujengleima Community Hall, Awang Sekmai and Wangoi Bazar.
The public meetings were part of the JFD's campaign to put pressure on the Government to postpone census related exercises and update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before it.
The Census 2027 exercise is expected to begin in Manipur from August 16, according to Government notification.
Addressing the public, Jeetendra said the present conflict which erupted on May 3, 2023 is being driven by illegal immigrants.
Even when the Government has clear knowledge about the cause of the crisis, it has chosen to ignore the public call to update the NRC and identify illegal immigrants for deportation, Jeetendra said.
A comprehensive exercise to identify and deport illegal immigrants is a must to safeguard Manipur and protect the interests of the indigenous people, he said.
If an exercise like the NRC is not conducted soon, the State may further plunge into a deeper crisis that would mean the end for the indigenous communities, Jeetendra said.
It is the legitimate right and normal for the citizens and civil society organisations of the State to make demands to the Government to protect their rights and interests. The Government should listen to its people and not ignore their aspirations, Jeetendra added.
When the scheduled census operation is an important exercise, the Government should ponder why its citizens and civil society organisations have openly come out strong against it, he said.
While census exercise is expected to bring many benefits and development to the State, carrying out the operation amid the conflict before identification of illegal immigrants could yield negative impacts, the consequences of which could be far reaching and detrimental to the indigenous people, Jeetendra said.
The census exercise must not be held until illegal immigrants who are depriving the genuine citizens of their rights and benefits are identified and deported, Jeetendra said.