New Delhi: In a significant move, the Indian government on Monday deferred Census operations in Manipur.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Union Home minister Amit Shah, to assess the situation in the northeastern state.
The meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs — attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and other senior officials — discussed the demand of many in Manipur to defer the Census exercise in the state before the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The Home minister and other key attendees agreed to honour the feelings and aspirations of Manipur’s people.
CM Khemchand Singh expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home minister Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin and other central leaders for listening to the voices of the people.
The chief minister also appreciated efforts of 14 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the delegation of BJP MLAs who recently campaigned in New Delhi for the implementation of NRC in Manipur.
Last week, Meitei and Naga communities protested after the Centre confirmed it will carry out the Census without first completing NRC in Manipur. Amid tensions, the Kuki-Zo Council had backed the Centre’s earlier decision.
The Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence, which erupted in 2023, has displaced over 50,000 people and killed at least 250 in Manipur.