Delimitation of Assembly Constituencies based on Census 2001 in Manipur-II

Oinam Nabakishore Singh
After a gap of 12 years since the delimitation in Manipur was deferred in 2008 on the grounds of National security and likely disturbance of public order, the Government of India decided on the 28th February, 2020, to take up the delimitation exercise. In fact, there was little change in the anticipated problems of threat to unity and integrity of the country, and public order. However, by the order No. SO 286(E) dated 8th February, 2008 constituted a new Delimitation Commission to perform the exercise. The abnormal growth of population in the 9 sub-divisions of 3 hill districts of Manipur, reported in Census of India Report, 2001, has not been rectified by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
In a cosmetic and arbitrary manner, the decadal growth of population in Paomata, Purul and Mao sub-divisions was assumed to be 39% without any reasonable basis by the Registrar General. The delicate and sensitive relationship between the people living in the valley areas of Manipur with those living in hills will be disturbed when delimitation exercise is undertaken based on incorrect census data of 2001, which contains abnormal decadal population growth upto 169 percent, and possible loss of seats of Assembly Constituencies in the valley to the hill areas.
With respect to population growth in any region or State, there are three main causes, namely, birth rate, death rate and migration. Both birth and death rates in the 9 sub-divisions in 3 hill districts of Manipur cannot be hugely different from those in the rest of the State of Manipur as similar socio-economic factors and healthcare facilities are not immensely different so as to make all the difference in birth and death rates. Further, being located in the remote hill areas of the State, people from those areas migrate to the valley areas near the capital city of Imphal as better facilities are available there. There are a large number of new settlements of tribals from the hills at places known as Nagaram, Dewlaland, Sangakpham, Langol, New Checkon, Zomi Villa, Paite Veng, etc., which are in Greater Imphal areas, ie, in valley inhabited by people who have migrated from the hills.
Therefore, there is no reasonable justification for the abnormal decadal growth of population upto 169% (decadal) in the said 9 sub-divisions. The population data in these sub-divisions as reported by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner in the 2001 Census Report with the apparent abnormal growth of population should not be used as basis for an important exercise like delimitation of Constituencies.
The representation of people in the State Assembly and House of the People through election, Constituency-wise, is the basic foundation of democracy as enshrined in the Constitution of India. People living in the valley areas of Manipur are now apprehensive of loss of about 3 Assembly Constituencies to the Hill Areas of the State after the Delimitation Commission issues their order based on 2001 Census Report. Any such disturbance in the representation in the Assembly based on incorrect census data can lead to tension between the people living in the valley districts and those living in the hill districts.
There has been one more census operation in 2011. The next Census operation for 2021 was due. However, due to covid-19 pandemic, which engulfed the whole world till early 2022, no new census operation has been undertaken. The new census operation can be made more authentic by capturing Aadhar data by excluding non-existent people. Census data of 2001 is already very old and it is under question. It will be in the best interest of all concerned, to defer the present delimitation and take up new delimitation based on latest and new Census Report. It may be mentioned that a new Section 10B was inserted in the Delimitation Act, 2002 in order to defer the delimitation exercise in Jharkhand to 2026 on the ground of law and order situation. A similar amendment may be made for the State of Manipur in the interest of all concerned.
Manipur is now embroiled in an ongoing conflict since the 3rd May, 2023. It is now under the rule by the President of India after imposition of the same on the 13th February, 2025. The tenuous peace through cessation of firing between the two sides of Meitei and Kuki communities for the last about six months should not be seen as return to actual peace and normalcy. There are instances of missing of Meitei youths on their entry into areas inhabited by Kuki people. It is considered unsafe for members of either community to cross-over to the territory of other community. Further, no ceasefire or negotiated settlement to address the conflict is in sight. Conducting delimitation in the midst of the tense environment would add fuel to fire, by enraging more people.
Delimitation Demand Committee for the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in North East India filed a Writ Petition (C) No.357/2022 before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India to pass orders to complete pending delimitation exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. In the said writ petition, Hon’ble Supreme Court ordered on 17th March, 2025 directing the Central Government to complete the delimitation exercise in three months. Political parties and civil society organizations in the State have opposed the proposed delimitation. Keeping in mind the entry of illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries to Manipur, CSOs demand that preparation of National Registrar of Citizens before any delimitation. Political parties in the State too oppose the proposed delimitation on the ground that census data of 2001 were faulty and their rectification is pre-condition for the delimitation. They are pleading to undertake the delimitation in 2026 based on new census figures, free from flaws.
It is the Union of India which is required to apprise the Supreme Court of India of the sensitivity of the issue in the light of fragile relationship between communities now and likelihood of further disturbance of public order in the State. In fact, situation in Manipur in 2025 is worse than what was in 2008, when delimitation exercise was deferred through orders by the President of India. Legal obligation under the Delimitation Act or the Representation of the People Act, 1950 should not outweigh the need to maintain public order–protecting lives and property of citizens. Heaven is not going to fall if delimitation is deferred for another one year.

The writer is former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Manipur and a retired IAS officer.