Manipur Public Convention Demands 1951-Based NRC Update

Citizens’ Convention Adopts Resolutions Demanding 1951 Base Year for NRC Update in Manipur

Imphal: A public convention (Meeyamgi Meepham) gathering indigenous communities was held today at the Citizen's Club ground in Soibam Leikai, Wangkhei Khunou on September 7, 2026. The convention unanimously resolved to press the Government of India (GOI) to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1951 as the base year before conducting any national census operation, deeming the resolution passed on September 2, 2026, during the 8th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly incomplete due to the omission of the explicit 1951 base year clause.

The assembly adopted a seven-point declaration signed by Jeetendra Ningomba, Convenor of the Joint Committee on NRC Implementation (JFD):

• Delegation to New Delhi: A high-level state team led by the Chief Minister and Home Minister must submit a representation to the GOI by September 10, 2026, urging the immediate implementation of a 1951-base-year NRC. The GOI must officially confirm the commencement date to the public within September 2026.

• Employee Office Blockade: If the state government fails to submit the representation by September 10, 2026, state and central government employees will be barred from attending offices starting September 11, 2026. Government employees are urged to support the indigenous movement. Essential services—including Health, Education, Water Supply, Fire Service, Electricity, and Agriculture—are exempted from this restriction.

• Sustained Agitation: Indigenous people of Manipur will launch continuous, multi-form agitations until an NRC update based on 1951 is implemented.

• Census Deferment Order: An official order postponing the current census operations completely must be issued within September 2026.

• Reaffirmation of Census Boycott: Reaffirming the previous resolution by JFD and the public, local clubs, Meira Paibis, and community associations will boycott and non-cooperate with census officials attempting household enumeration before NRC completion. Census officials are advised not to carry out enumeration tasks.

• Pressure on Public Representatives: Intensified agitations will target public representatives to ensure they fulfill the people's demands.

• Government Accountability: A headcount exercise will only be acceptable after proper identification of illegal immigrants. The state and central governments will bear full responsibility for any untoward incidents arising from these measures.