Manipur Sets 1951 Baseline for NRC, Missing Records Traced

In the Manipur Legislative Assembly session, a starred question regarding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was answered on September 7, 2026. Asked by Shri K. Meghachandra Singh, MLA and responded to by the Minister (Home), Manipur, the exchange highlights the state's reliance on the 1951 baseline alongside ongoing administrative and political challenges.

Assembly Starred Question No. 348 Overview

• Questioner: Shri K. Meghachandra Singh, MLA

• Respondent: Minister (Home), Manipur

• Date of Answer: 07.09.2026

Question (s)	Answer
(a) Whether the Government of India has prescribed, or intends to prescribe a legal administrative framework for preparation/updation of NRC in Manipur including the cut-off date, eligibility criteria and procedure for verification; and	State Government will pursue the Government of India on the line of Resolutions taken by Manipur Legislative Assembly in matters related to NRC.
(b) Whether the original physical records relating with 1951 NRC of Manipur are still available; if not, the alternative records to be referred for establishing citizenship?	Records of NRC 1951 are being traced out.

1951 Base Year Confirmed Amid Missing Records
The Manipur state government affirmed the 1951 National Register of Citizens as the baseline for the exercise, while admitting the original physical records are still being located and that progress depends on central authorization.

Key Perspectives & Direct Quotes

Govindas Konthoujam (Home Minister) responding to the Assembly query:
"The records of the 1951 NRC are being traced. The State Government alone cannot implement the NRC without the approval of the Government of India."

Govindas Konthoujam urging process caution by citing Assam's implementation:
"The issue of NRC should not be taken lightly... it could not still be kept in the public domain. The matter has been pending in the court."

Ginza Vualzong (Kuki-Zo Council Secretary) on using 1951 as a baseline:
"An impartial census is essential to establish facts and dispel unfounded claims... no physical copies or maintenance record of the 1951 NRC are presently available in the official archives."

The "Missing" Records Under the RTI Act

To give you the precise legal reality, here are the responses authorities provided under the Right to Information (RTI) Act:

-- 2015 RTI Response: The Directorate of Census Operations claimed it was "not aware of the authority which prepared the 1951 NRC" and stated the record was unavailable.

-- 2025 RTI Response: The Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI) provided the shocking legal claim that "NRC 1951 was not conducted in Manipur".

~ KV NEWS