NPO Demands NRC Implementation in Manipur Prior to Census

SENAPATI, MANIPUR — The Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), headquartered in Senapati (Tahamzam), Manipur, issued an official press release on August 19, 2026, strongly supporting the demand of the United Naga Council (UNC) to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the official Census, utilizing 1951 as the base year.

Expressing deep concern over unchecked and undocumented migration from neighboring countries, the NPO highlighted that such influxes threaten to alter Manipur's demographic composition while posing severe risks to the identity, land, and security of indigenous communities. In a geographically compact state like Manipur, these demographic shifts have fueled rising social tensions and risk further escalating ongoing ethnic conflicts if left unaddressed.

Additionally, the organization raised serious alarms over the ongoing expansion of human settlements in protected and reserved forest areas, pointing out the rapid emergence and growth of villages over the past two to three decades as a key factor contributing to heightened friction among local communities.

Reiterating its firm stance that no Census should be undertaken prior to the NRC, the NPO urged both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to address the indigenous population's legitimate concerns. The press release called for a credible NRC exercise to establish clear citizenship status, effectively distinguishing legitimate citizens from illegal migrants.

The NPO expressed optimism that implementing a credible NRC before the Census will safeguard indigenous rights, resolve demographic issues, enforce proper citizenship documentation, and foster long-term social stability and peace throughout Manipur.