COPTAM-KH Demands Proof Over Manipur Census Deferment Claim

NEW DELHI — The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur–Kuki Hills (COPTAM-KH) has issued an official press release from New Delhi responding to statements issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Government of Manipur, regarding the reported deferment of Census operations in the state.

Key Statements and Positions Outlined by COPTAM-KH:

Press Release Claim Lacks Official Verification: Taking serious note of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat press release dated 31 August 2026 — which claimed the Union Government deferred Census operations following a meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister — COPTAM-KH highlighted that the release fails to reproduce, identify, or annex any formal order, notification, memorandum, or gazette notification from competent Central Government authorities.

1. A press release is not itself an order deferring the Census: The Chief Minister’s Secretariat press release merely reports that a meeting was held and agreed to defer the exercise, without providing text or reference numbers of an actual governmental order. The public should not treat a political press release as conclusive legal proof. If deferred, the Union Government must place the formal order, statutory authority, effective date, scope, and duration in the public domain.

2. Census administration cannot be determined merely by a political demand: While the release notes demands to defer the Census prior to National Register of Citizens (NRC) implementation, questions concerning Census, citizenship, NRC, and territorial jurisdiction are legally distinct and must not be conflated. Political demands or civil society claims cannot alter legal territorial status or constitutional rights.

3. Particular concern regarding the tribal Hill Areas: Highlighting historical records including the White Paper on Indian States, 1950, which describes Manipur as surrounded largely by "tribal Hill areas in Assam," COPTAM-KH emphasized that the historical and constitutional standing of Hill Areas cannot be assumed from political assertions regarding Valley areas. Historical and administrative records must be independently examined.

4. Deferment should not prejudice the Hill Areas: Even if a deferment decision exists, it must not be interpreted as recognizing claims over historical territorial extents or prejudicing the constitutional and administrative position of tribal Hill Areas. No administrative exercise concerning Valley areas should adversely impact recognized Hill Area status.

5. The Government should publish the actual decision: COPTAM-KH calls upon the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, and the Government of Manipur to publicly clarify:

1. Whether the Census operations in Manipur have actually been formally deferred;

2. The order/notification number and date by which such deferment has been effected;

3. The competent authority that issued the decision;

4. The statutory and administrative authority under which the decision was taken;

5. Whether the deferment applies to the entire State of Manipur or only specified areas/operations;

6. The period for which the Census has been deferred; and

7. Whether the decision has any bearing whatsoever upon the territorial, constitutional or administrative status of the tribal Hill Areas.

6. Historical claims must not be converted into present territorial claims: Terms like "Hill Country of Manipur," "Hill Areas of Manipur," and "Kuki Mountains surrounding Manipur" reflect historical contexts and cannot establish present territorial jurisdiction without legal authority. Present administration must strictly rely on constitutional provisions, statutes, notifications, archival records, and competent orders.

COPTAM-KH'S POSITION COPTAM-KH clarified it is not opposed to a lawful, properly administered Census, provided decisions are transparent and without prejudice to tribal Hill Areas. Until an official order is published, statements claiming the "Centre defers Census in Manipur" must be treated as claims requiring documentary verification rather than established legal facts. The committee calls on authorities to publish relevant documents and ensure no Census, NRC, or citizenship process alters administrative arrangements without constitutional authority.