Centre Defers Census in Manipur Following Protests Over NRC Concerns
The Centre has deferred the census in Manipur after protests linked to NRC fears. A meeting with top officials led to the decision.
The Union government has decided to postpone the census exercise in Manipur, following widespread protests in the state over concerns related to the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by senior officials and was attended by the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan was also present, along with other senior officials from the ministry and the state government.
The deferment comes in the wake of public demonstrations in Manipur, where sections of the population have expressed apprehension that the census data could be used to implement an NRC-like exercise in the state. The protests reflect deep-seated anxieties among various communities regarding citizenship documentation and demographic changes.
By postponing the census, the Centre has sought to address the immediate concerns raised by the protests. The move is aimed at creating a conducive environment for the exercise to be conducted at a later date, once the situation normalises and concerns are adequately addressed through dialogue.
Officials present at the meeting reviewed the ground situation in the state and discussed the administrative and security implications of proceeding with the census at this juncture. The consensus was to defer the exercise to ensure that the enumeration process is carried out smoothly and without any disruption.
The decision marks a significant administrative step, balancing the constitutional requirement of conducting a census with the need to maintain public order and trust in the region.