The Manipur state government postponed census enumerator and supervisor training in Imphal West following protests over the National Register of Citizens [1].
The deferment highlights deep-seated anxieties regarding citizenship status and the potential impact of demographic data on political representation in the region.
Protesters from the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) called for a 48-hour general strike [1]. The postponement occurred on Aug. 19, 2024, during the second day of that strike [1], [2].
Demonstrators are demanding that the government update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before any census is conducted [1], [5]. Protesters said they fear the census could negatively affect their citizenship status if the NRC is not updated first [5].
Reports on the geographic scope of the deferment vary. Some sources state the training was postponed only in the Imphal West district [1], [2]. Other reports indicate the programme was deferred across several districts within the Imphal Valley region [3].
The census is a critical administrative tool used to determine population size and demographics. However, in Manipur, the process has become linked to the broader debate over illegal immigration and the legal verification of residents. The JFD said that a fair delimitation of constituencies cannot occur without a verified citizen registry [1].
“The Manipur state government postponed census enumerator and supervisor training in Imphal West following protests.”
The tension in Manipur reflects a broader conflict where administrative data collection is viewed through the lens of ethnic identity and legal belonging. By demanding an NRC update prior to the census, protesters are attempting to ensure that only verified citizens are counted, fearing that an inaccurate census could dilute their political influence or lead to wrongful citizenship challenges during future delimitation processes.
