Manipur Assembly reaffirms NRC-before-Census demand as two Kuki MLAs attend in person for first time since 2023 violence
IMPHAL — The Manipur Legislative Assembly on Wednesday reaffirmed its previous resolutions urging the Centre to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state before conducting the Census.
On the first day of the eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the House resolved “to reaffirm its previous Resolutions passed on the 5th August, 2022 and 1st March, 2024” and urge the government of India to update the NRC before conducting the Census “in the interest of the state in particular and the nation in general”.
Earlier, the session began with an obituary reference, with members paying tribute to four former legislators: L Ningthemjao (Heingang), K Envey (Phungyar), Dr. Md Maniruddin Sheikh (Lilong) and AS Arthur (Ukhrul).
Nine members, including Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and former chief ministers Nongthombam Biren Singh and Okram Ibobi Singh, expressed sorrow over their demise.
The morning session witnessed an uproar after senior Opposition member and former Chief Minister Ibobi Singh raised a point of order in connection with an adjournment motion seeking discussion on implementing the NRC before the Census.
The House was adjourned for an hour following the uproar and resumed at 2 pm, after which the Chief Minister moved the resolution seeking updation of the NRC before the Census. The House later reaffirmed its previous resolutions of August 5, 2022 and March 1, 2024.
The session also marked a significant political development, with two Kuki MLAs — Haokholet Kipgen (Saitu) and Kimneo Haokip Hangshing (Saikul) — attending the Assembly in person in Imphal for the first time since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh welcomed their presence, describing it as a positive step towards fostering unity and peace in the state.
“This is a good sign from people’s representatives, and it is a welcome step,” he said, adding that with collective efforts, Manipur could strive to walk the path to peace.
The other Kuki-Zo MLAs, except Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and MLA Letzamng Haokip (Henglep), who attended virtually, were not present during Wednesday’s session. There are 10 Kuki-Zo legislators in the Assembly.
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion raised by Congress MLA K Ranjit Singh, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the people of Manipur and the government were firmly determined to protect the integrity of the state.
He said there was no official report on the alleged land-swap deal between India and Myanmar, and added that most of the international border fencing had been completed.
Replying to another Calling Attention Motion raised by MLA Meghachandra, the Home Minister said everyone should shoulder the responsibility and practise a sense of humanity to restore peace in the state. He also appealed to religious and community leaders to help address the trust deficit.
Market shuts for second day
The busy Khwairamband Keithel, the main business centre in Imphal and home to the iconic Nupi Keithel, continued to wear a deserted look for the second day on Wednesday as women vendors and shopkeepers staged a sit-in demonstration.
They are demanding that the Centre and state government issue a formal order stating that the Census will be conducted only after updation of the NRC in the state.
The state had already witnessed a 24-hour general strike from Tuesday midnight, severely affecting normal life.
The protesters have announced plans to intensify the agitation until their demand is fulfilled. They maintained that the Census should be conducted only after the NRC is updated and people displaced by the ongoing conflict are resettled in their respective places of origin.
Although authorities announced that the Census would be deferred following a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister, the protesters said no formal order had been issued.
They said the agitation would not be withdrawn until the government issued a written order clearly stating that the Census would be conducted only after the NRC is updated.