The Manipur NRC update demand intensified across the state in August and September 2026, with civil society groups, students and women’s organisations staging demonstrations before the proposed Census exercise. Protesters have called for an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the population count.
The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has led several of the demonstrations. Its campaign has included rallies, sit-ins, shutdowns and calls to delay the Census until the NRC issue is addressed.
The issue gained wider political significance after the Union government deferred Census operations in Manipur on August 31. The decision followed a high-level review and came amid continuing demands for an NRC exercise first.
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Manipur NRC Update Demand Drives Large Protests
The Manipur NRC update demand became increasingly visible in August as several groups organised demonstrations across the Imphal Valley. On August 17, protesters gathered at multiple locations under the JFD banner, calling for NRC updation before the Census.
Students also joined the campaign. Reports said members of the JFD student wing attempted to stop Census-related training sessions in Imphal. Security personnel intervened as protesters sought to prevent the training programmes from proceeding.
Meanwhile, a sit-in was held at Khwairamband Ima Market, where traders and other participants supported the demand. Protesters used slogans including “No NRC, No Census” and raised concerns about alleged illegal immigration.
The demonstrations later expanded to torch rallies. On August 23, thousands of women were reported to have taken part in a major torch rally in Imphal, while similar gatherings took place in parts of Imphal East and Thoubal.
A separate August 24 torch rally organised by Meira Paibi activists travelled along Tiddim Road in Imphal. Participants again called for an NRC update before the Census and opposed permanent settlement of internally displaced people away from their original homes.
Manipur NRC Update Demand Linked to Census and Delimitation
The campaign is not limited to the timing of the Census. Protest organisers have connected the Manipur NRC update demand with demographic records, delimitation and political representation.
The JFD has argued that population data should reflect the state’s actual demographic situation before future constituency changes. Delimitation involves adjusting electoral constituencies based largely on population figures. Therefore, groups supporting the campaign say an updated citizenship record should precede the Census and subsequent delimitation process.
The concern has also gained support from Naga organisations. The United Naga Council has called for an NRC before the Census and delimitation, while demanding that 1951 serve as the base year.
Meitei organisations have similarly raised concerns about demographic change and alleged migration from Myanmar. However, these claims remain politically contested, and Kuki-Zo organisations have opposed the NRC demand, particularly the proposed 1951 base year.
Another issue is displacement caused by the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023. Thousands of people remain away from their original homes, creating questions about how population data should reflect the state’s current circumstances.
Supporters of the NRC demand argue that conducting the Census during continuing displacement could affect the demographic picture. They therefore want the authorities to address citizenship and displacement-related concerns before final population figures are prepared.
At the same time, the NRC demand predates the current phase of the conflict. The issue has been raised in Manipur for several years, including through resolutions of the state Assembly.
Manipur NRC Update Demand Gains Political Support
The Manipur NRC update demand has also received support from political leaders and the state Assembly. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has backed the call for an NRC before the Census, while a delegation of state BJP legislators travelled to New Delhi to raise the matter with the Centre.
On September 1, the Manipur Assembly reaffirmed its earlier resolutions and urged the Government of India to update the NRC before conducting the Census. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh during the Assembly session.
The Assembly had previously passed a resolution on August 5, 2022, seeking an NRC and a State Population Commission. The issue was again raised in 2024. Thus, the latest resolution represents a continuation of an existing state-level position rather than a new demand created by the 2026 protests.
Congress has also supported the demand for an NRC before the Census, creating an unusual area of agreement between major political parties despite their differences on other issues.
However, political support does not itself authorise an NRC exercise. The Centre would need to take the relevant administrative and legal decisions before such an exercise could proceed.
The Union government’s decision to defer Census operations in Manipur came after a high-level review chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah on August 31. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan also participated in the discussions.
The Centre said the deferment took into account the sentiments and aspirations expressed in Manipur over the demand for an NRC before the Census. The Manipur High Court had also directed that the Census operation remain deferred until further orders.
Manipur NRC Update Demand Keeps Census Debate Open
The deferment did not immediately end the agitation. A 24-hour general strike on September 1 affected normal life in five valley districts, with businesses, educational institutions and public transport disrupted.
The campaign continued into September, with civil society groups maintaining pressure on the state government. Protesters have repeatedly said they are not opposed to population enumeration itself but want the NRC issue addressed first.
More recently, the Manipur government sought to reassure the JFD that it had acknowledged its memorandum and would take action on the NRC issue. On October 3, the government also appealed to the organisation to put its September 30 deadline on hold.
The government’s position indicates that discussions remain active, although no final decision establishing an NRC exercise in Manipur has been announced. The precise process, legal framework and base year would therefore require further decisions from the competent authorities.
The debate also remains sensitive because different communities have sharply different views about the proposed NRC. Meitei and Naga organisations have supported the demand, while Kuki-Zo groups have raised concerns that an NRC based on 1951 could exclude genuine residents from the state’s hill areas.
Consequently, any future NRC process would involve substantial administrative and political questions. These could include documentation, citizenship verification, treatment of people affected by displacement and the relationship between NRC findings and future demographic exercises.
For now, the Census remains deferred in Manipur, while the demand for an NRC before the population exercise continues to shape public and political debate. The Centre and state authorities have yet to announce a final timetable for an NRC update.
Conclusion
The Manipur NRC update demand has developed into a major public and political issue ahead of the next Census. Civil society organisations, students and women’s groups have organised demonstrations, while the state Assembly and political leaders have also pressed for an NRC before population enumeration.
The Union government has deferred the Census exercise in Manipur, but it has not announced an NRC timetable. Meanwhile, the state government has acknowledged the JFD’s memorandum and called for continued cooperation as discussions continue.
FAQs
Why are protesters demanding a Manipur NRC update before the Census?
Protest groups say an updated NRC should precede the Census to address concerns about citizenship, alleged migration, demographic change and future delimitation. They argue that population figures should be prepared after these issues are addressed.
What is the Manipur NRC update demand?
The Manipur NRC update demand calls for the National Register of Citizens to be updated before the Census. Several groups, including the JFD and Naga organisations, have specifically demanded that the NRC use 1951 as its base year.
Has the Census been deferred in Manipur?
Yes. The Union government decided on August 31, 2026, to defer Census operations in Manipur. The decision followed a high-level review and came amid demands for an NRC before the Census.
Who is leading the protests for an NRC before the Census?
The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation has been a prominent organiser of the campaign. Student groups, Meira Paibi activists, civil society organisations and other groups have also participated in demonstrations and rallies.
Has the Centre approved an NRC update in Manipur?
No final NRC implementation timetable has been announced. The state government has supported the demand and the Union government has deferred the Census, but a formal decision establishing the NRC exercise remains pending.