Imphal, April 26: The Government of Manipur is preparing to organise a seminar on the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) amid growing uncertainty over the sequence and timeline of the upcoming Population Census.
Officials indicated that the seminar aims to bring together policymakers, legal experts, and civil society organisations to deliberate on the feasibility, legal framework, and potential implications of conducting an NRC exercise in the state. The move comes at a time when questions remain over whether the Census—seen as a foundational step for such an exercise—will precede the NRC process.
The confusion stems from the lack of clarity at the national level regarding the scheduling of the delayed Census, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to be rescheduled formally. Experts argue that without updated population data, implementing an NRC could face administrative and legal hurdles.
Concerns have also been raised by various groups in Manipur over the possible impact of NRC on indigenous communities, migration patterns, and documentation requirements. Some civil society organisations have called for transparency and public consultation before any major decision is taken.
Government sources, however, maintain that the proposed seminar is only exploratory in nature and is intended to create awareness and gather expert opinions rather than signal immediate implementation.
The development has sparked political debate, with opposition parties urging the government to clarify its stance and ensure that any such exercise does not create confusion or unrest among the public.
