Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has recalled his government’s push for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens, or NRC, in Manipur in 2019. Singh said his position on the issue had remained clear from the beginning of his tenure as Chief Minister.
The former Chief Minister said his government recognised the need to address concerns surrounding illegal immigration after assuming office in March 2017. He said the issue had also remained a longstanding demand of several civil society organisations in the state.
Singh stated that his government took the matter forward through official channels. Following a Manipur Cabinet resolution, he formally wrote to the then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on February 10, 2019, requesting the Centre to undertake an NRC exercise in Manipur.
His remarks come amid renewed political and public debate over the demand for an NRC in Manipur before the Census. The Manipur Assembly recently passed another resolution urging the Centre to update the NRC in the state before conducting the Census.
Biren Singh Recalls His Stand on NRC
N Biren Singh said his stand on the need for an NRC in Manipur had remained consistent throughout his political tenure as Chief Minister.
According to Singh, the issue required more than public discussion. He said such an important matter needed sustained political will, consistent follow-up and determined efforts to take the process forward.
Singh said his government recognised concerns over illegal immigration after it took office in March 2017.
He also referred to the long-standing demands raised by civil society organisations in Manipur. Groups such as the All Manipur Students’ Union, or AMSU, and the All Manipur Students’ Coordinating Committee, or AMSCOC, had raised concerns related to the issue for decades.
The former Chief Minister said the issue had existed in public and political discussions long before his government came to power.
He maintained that earlier demands required serious institutional action and continued engagement with the Centre.
2019 Letter to Then Home Minister Rajnath Singh
Singh recalled that his government formally pursued the NRC issue in 2019.
Following a resolution passed by the state Cabinet, he wrote to then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on February 10, 2019. The letter requested the Centre to undertake the NRC exercise in Manipur.
Singh said the Cabinet resolution and the official letter remained part of the government’s records.
He stressed that such records showed that his government had taken formal steps to raise the issue with the Union government.
The former Chief Minister said important matters cannot move forward through one-time announcements alone.
According to him, political leaders and governments need to maintain consistent follow-up.
His remarks placed renewed focus on the efforts made by his government in 2019 and the continued demand for an NRC in Manipur.
Civil Society Groups Had Raised the Issue for Decades
The demand for an NRC in Manipur did not emerge recently.
Several civil society and student organisations had raised concerns related to illegal immigration and population verification for many years.
Singh said groups such as AMSU and AMSCOC had discussed the issue since the 1980s. He argued that the demand had remained part of public discourse for several decades.
The former Chief Minister said no previous government had taken the issue to what he described as its logical conclusion despite repeated demands.
His statement has renewed attention on the historical background of the NRC debate in Manipur.
The issue continues to generate strong opinions among political parties, civil society organisations and different communities.
As a result, any decision related to the NRC remains politically and socially significant.
NRC Demand Returns to Centre of Manipur Politics
The issue has once again become a major subject of discussion in Manipur.
The state Assembly recently reaffirmed its earlier resolutions and urged the Centre to update the NRC in Manipur before conducting the Census.
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh moved the resolution during the Assembly session. The House urged the Union government to update the NRC before the Census in the interest of Manipur and the country.
The renewed Assembly resolution shows that the NRC demand has gained fresh political attention.
It also connects the issue with wider discussions surrounding population data and the Census process.
The Centre recently deferred the house-listing phase of the Census in Manipur following growing demands from civil society groups for the NRC issue to be addressed first.
The developments have further intensified public debate across the state.
Debate Over NRC and Census Continues
The demand for an NRC before the Census has created differing reactions among various groups.
Supporters argue that the NRC should address concerns surrounding citizenship verification and population records before the Census process moves forward.
However, some organisations have raised concerns about the proposed sequence and its possible impact on communities.
The Kuki-Zo Council, for example, has questioned the demand for implementing the NRC before the Census and expressed concerns about how the process could affect the Kuki-Zo community.
These differing views highlight the sensitivity surrounding the issue.
Any future process will require careful administrative planning and engagement with affected stakeholders.
The debate also demonstrates why the issue remains politically significant in Manipur.
Biren Singh Stresses Need for Political Will
While recalling the 2019 push, Biren Singh stressed the importance of sustained political commitment.
He said issues of such importance require consistent follow-up and a clear willingness to take the process forward.
According to Singh, raising a demand once does not guarantee its implementation.
Governments need to continue discussions, maintain official communication and pursue administrative decisions.
His remarks also highlighted the importance of documentation.
The former Chief Minister pointed to the Cabinet resolution and his letter to the then Union Home Minister as official evidence of his government’s position on the NRC issue.
The comments have allowed Singh to connect the present debate with his government’s earlier efforts.
NRC Issue Likely to Remain a Major Political Debate
The renewed focus on the NRC shows that the issue will continue to shape political and public discussions in Manipur.
The Assembly’s latest resolution has strengthened calls for the Centre to consider an NRC update before proceeding with the Census.
At the same time, concerns raised by different communities show that the issue requires careful handling.
The government will need to consider legal, administrative and social aspects before taking any major decision.
For many civil society groups, the NRC remains an important demand that has continued for decades.
For others, questions remain about the timing and implementation of the process.
These differing perspectives are likely to keep the issue at the centre of Manipur’s political discourse.
Biren Singh Links Present Debate With 2019 Efforts
N Biren Singh’s latest remarks have brought renewed attention to the 2019 push for an NRC in Manipur.
The former Chief Minister said his government formally raised the issue with the Centre after passing a Cabinet resolution.
He wrote to then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in February 2019 and requested an NRC exercise in the state.
His statement comes at a time when the NRC issue has again moved to the forefront of Manipur politics.
The state Assembly has renewed its call for an NRC update before the Census, while the debate continues among different groups and communities.
Biren Singh’s recollection of the 2019 initiative highlights the long history of the NRC debate in Manipur.
As discussions continue, the issue is likely to remain an important subject for political leaders, civil society groups and the people of the state.