NRC first, then census call reiterated

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 23: National Register of Citizens (NRC) must be implemented in Manipur to detect and identify illegal settlers before any fresh census or delimitation exercise, the Joint Committee Opposing Delimitation Exercise in Manipur (Kangleipak) has asserted.
This demand for NRC exercise came after the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 12 approved a proposal for conducting Census of India 2027 at a cost of  Rs 11,718.24 crore.
India's Census 2027 is planned as a two-phase operation, with Houselisting from April-September 2026 and Population Enumeration (PE) in February 2027, marking the country's first digital census and first caste enumeration in decades.
The planned census, if conducted without an NRC exercise first, would have serious implications for Manipur, which is marred by the issue of influx of illegal immigrants for decades, said the committee, in a statement released to the media today.
While there has been influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar for decades, this was reflected largely in the 2001 census, said the committee.
As reflected in the 1991-2001 census record, 7 subdivisions in Manipur recorded a decadal growth rate of above 40 percent, said the committee.
Chandel district recorded the highest decadal growth rate at 66.62 percent--above the State average of 24.86 percent and National average of 21.98 percent.
Chandel district's Chakpikarong recorded the highest decadal growth rate at 100.18 percent.
In Chandel district, Chandel recorded 41.70 percent, Tengnoupal recorded 54.48 percent,
Machi recorded 65.46 percent.
Kamjong recorded 60.95 percent, Saitu Gamphazol recorded 54.12 percent and Churachandpur (North) recorded 40.77 percent.
Such unnatural population growth rates in as many as three hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel are evidence of the 2001 census being unrealistic and unreliable, said the committee.
The abnormal growth rate in the population of the subdivisions is suspected to have been caused by continued massive influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, said the committee.
It continued that the growth rate was highest among the Vaiphei and Thadou, with the clans representing a growth rate of 133.18 percent and 123.79 percent respectively.
Pointing out the erroneous census data, the committee recalled that several organisations, including PANDM, IPSA, ACOAM Lup and KSA had filed petitions with the High Court of Manipur in 2020.
Even as the 2001 census is not yet rectified, the Government of India is planning to conduct a fresh census in two phases--starting with houselisting from April-September 2026. This could have serious implications for Manipur if not done correctly and in order, said the committee.
"A delimitation based on incorrect census data can't be accepted." For the census to reflect the true population data, implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) based on 1951 as the base year is a must, said the committee.
1951 must be the base year for the earlier Entry and Exit Pass system was abolished on November 18, 1950. Just a mere decade after the Exit and Entry Pass system was abolished, Manipur recorded a significant jump in the growth rate from 12.80 percent to 35.04 percent (1951-1961), said the committee.
Influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar has been the centre of the issue for decades. Therefore, NRC must be implemented in Manipur before the Government conducts a fresh census or delimitation exercise, said the committee.
Until NRC is implemented, any fresh census or delimitation exercise must be put on hold in Manipur, added the committee.