Mass Demonstrations in Manipur Demand NRC Update Before Next Census

The Manipur NRC update demand has intensified as civil society groups, student organisations and women’s groups continue demonstrations across the state. Protesters have called for the National Register of Citizens to be updated before the next Census.

The campaign has included rallies, torch marches, sit-ins and other forms of public mobilisation. Moreover, the Manipur government has faced growing pressure to take up the issue with the Centre.

The Union government deferred Census operations in Manipur in August after discussions about the NRC demand. However, the debate continues, with different groups holding sharply different positions on the proposed sequence of NRC and Census exercises.

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Manipur NRC Update Demand Fuels Fresh Demonstrations

The Manipur NRC update demand has generated repeated demonstrations since the middle of 2026. The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has been among the organisations leading the agitation.

In August, students and other protesters held demonstrations at several locations across Imphal. The JFD Students’ Wing also sought to stop Census-related training sessions at two institutions, according to reports.

Meanwhile, Meira Paibi groups and local organisations organised torch rallies in different parts of the Valley. Participants called for the NRC to be updated before any Census exercise.

A separate mass rally in June also brought together people from different parts of Manipur. Fourteen civil society organisations organised that demonstration and called for an NRC based on 1951 records before the Census.

The protests have therefore continued over several months. Organisers have linked the demand to concerns about demographic change, citizenship verification and political representation.

However, these concerns remain contested. Different communities and organisations have offered contrasting views about migration, population changes and the proposed NRC process.

NRC Before Census Becomes Central Political Demand

The Manipur NRC update demand has become closely connected with the planned Census. Protesters argue that authorities should complete the NRC process before recording fresh population data.

The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation has repeatedly used the slogan “No NRC, No Census” during its campaign. The organisation has also called for the NRC to use 1951 as its base year.

Furthermore, the demand has gained support from sections of civil society and political groups. The Manipur Legislative Assembly reaffirmed its earlier resolutions concerning NRC updation before the Census on September 2, although that resolution did not specify a base year.

The issue has also acquired importance because population data can influence future delimitation. Therefore, some groups view the sequence of NRC, Census and delimitation as closely connected.

At the same time, the Census serves a different purpose from an NRC. A Census records demographic and socio-economic information, while an NRC concerns citizenship registration.

Consequently, conducting one exercise does not automatically resolve the questions associated with the other. The disagreement instead centres on whether citizenship-related verification should precede population enumeration in Manipur.

The Centre’s decision to defer the Census in the state has given the issue additional political significance. Nevertheless, the government has not announced that an NRC update will definitely precede the Census.

Manipur NRC Update Demand Faces Competing Views

The Manipur NRC update demand has not received unanimous support across the state. Kuki-Zo organisations have opposed the demand for an NRC before the Census.

Their position differs from that of several Valley-based civil society groups. Kuki-Zo representatives have argued that an NRC is a national exercise and have questioned attempts to conduct a separate state-level process before the Census.

The Indian Express reported that Kuki-Zo groups consider the demand premature and have called for demographic concerns to be assessed through credible data.

Moreover, the debate takes place against the background of the ethnic conflict that began in Manipur in May 2023. Thousands of people remain displaced, creating another concern about how population figures would reflect current locations.

Some groups have argued that conducting the Census while people remain displaced could produce population figures shaped by the conflict rather than normal settlement patterns.

Therefore, the NRC debate involves several overlapping issues. These include citizenship, migration, demographic change, displacement and future political representation.

The competing positions also underline the sensitivity of the issue. Any government decision would need to consider the legal framework and concerns raised by different communities.

Government Defers Census Amid NRC Pressure

The Manipur NRC update demand gained further momentum after the Union government deferred the Census exercise in the state. The decision followed a high-level meeting involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and senior officials.

The government said the decision followed discussions about the demand to defer the Census until the NRC issue was addressed. The Manipur High Court had also directed that Census operations remain deferred until further orders, according to Akashvani News.

More recently, the Manipur government assured the JFD that it had acknowledged the organisation’s memorandum. The government also appealed to the group to put its September 30 deadline on hold while authorities considered the issue.

Meanwhile, protests have continued despite the government’s assurances. In September, police stopped a protest march in Imphal involving local clubs, residents and Meira Paibi groups. Protesters were demanding an NRC based on 1951 records before any fresh Census.

The continuing mobilisation indicates that the issue remains unresolved. However, any future NRC process would require appropriate action by the competent authorities and cannot result solely from public demonstrations.

The next stage will depend on discussions between the state government and the Centre. Authorities will also have to consider the legal, administrative and social implications of any proposed NRC exercise.

Conclusion

The Manipur NRC update demand has developed into a sustained campaign involving civil society groups, students and women’s organisations. Protesters want the NRC updated before the next Census and several groups have specifically demanded a 1951 base year.

The Union government has already deferred Census operations in Manipur amid the controversy. Meanwhile, the state government has acknowledged the demand and sought cooperation from protest organisers.

However, the issue remains contested. Kuki-Zo organisations have opposed the proposed sequence, while several Valley-based groups continue to demand NRC updation first.

Further decisions will depend on discussions between the Centre and the Manipur government, along with the legal and administrative framework governing any future NRC exercise.

FAQs

What is the Manipur NRC update demand?

The Manipur NRC update demand calls for the National Register of Citizens to be updated before the next Census in the state. Several organisations have also demanded that 1951 serve as the base year.

Why are protests taking place in Manipur?

Protesters have raised concerns about citizenship verification, demographic change, migration and political representation. They want authorities to address these issues before conducting the next Census.

Has the Census been deferred in Manipur?

Yes. The Union government deferred Census operations in Manipur in August 2026 following discussions about the NRC demand and the situation in the state.

Who is leading the NRC-before-Census campaign?

The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation has played a prominent role in the campaign. Other civil society groups, student organisations and Meira Paibi groups have also participated in demonstrations.

Do all communities in Manipur support the NRC demand?

No. Positions differ among communities and organisations. While several Valley-based groups support an NRC before the Census, Kuki-Zo organisations have opposed that sequence and questioned the demand.