JTCM Demands NRC Execution Before Manipur Census Operations

TAMENGLONG — The Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTCM), representing the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme communities, issued a press release on August 19, 2026, strongly supporting the demand for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting any Census or Delimitation exercise in Manipur. Operating from its headquarters in Ward No. 5, Tamenglong, the council expressed deep concern over the ongoing influx of people across the international border and the subsequent changes to the state's demographic composition. According to Convenor Merachao Inka, these developments pose serious threats to the identity, land, resources, and political rights of Manipur's indigenous inhabitants.

The JTCM emphasized that the government must establish a reliable, verifiable record of genuine citizens first, warning that conducting a Census or Delimitation without tackling illegal immigration could yield population figures that fail to reflect the state's legitimate demographic reality, leading to severe long-term consequences for indigenous communities.

To address these concerns, the JTCM submitted a four-point demand to both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur. First, they urge the implementation of the NRC in Manipur using 1951 as the base year to identify bona-fide citizens and detect illegal immigrants. Second, they call for the Census in Manipur to be deferred until the NRC process is completed to guarantee data is based on a verified citizen population. Third, they request that Delimitation be undertaken only after the NRC's completion so electoral representation is not dictated by distorted figures. Fourth, they demand the de-recognition of all illegal settlements currently recognized as villages without meeting State law criteria.

Maintaining that the NRC, Census, and Delimitation exercises are deeply interlinked, the council stressed that a verified citizenship register must precede any electoral or demographic activity. The JTCM warned that if the government proceeds with the Census against public sentiment, the organization will launch agitations, including bandhs, rallies, and sit-in protests. Consequently, the council urged central and state authorities to act urgently to safeguard the identity, land rights, and political future of Manipur's indigenous peoples.