Imphal: In a rare instance of political convergence in violence-hit Manipur, the state Congress on Wednesday supported the BJP-led govt’s demand to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the census, saying the exercise will be difficult without first addressing displacement and security concerns.At a briefing on the prevailing crisis and the proposed census, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) backed civil society organisations’ demand for updating the NRC before house-listing and population enumeration. MPCC president and former CM Okram Ibobi Singh said Manipur’s situation was fundamentally different from that of other northeastern states and suggested that the Centre defer the census in the state, if necessary.“The situation in Manipur is quite different from the other northeastern states, including neighbouring Nagaland and Mizoram,” Singh said, referring to the continuing displacement caused by the ethnic violence that began on May 3, 2023.Congress said more than 60,000 people were still living in relief camps and questioned how house-listing and enumeration could be conducted when thousands remained displaced and many houses had been damaged or demolished.Congress leaders also cited restrictions on movement between areas dominated by different communities, saying Meiteis could not freely travel to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, while Naga communities had also faced difficulties travelling between districts.“How can census, house-listing and enumeration be conducted in such a situation?” Singh asked.He said the Centre could defer the exercise in Manipur and conduct it after conditions improved.Offering cooperation to the BJP-led government, Singh said the Congress was ready to join an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah if the state government took the initiative.“We are ready to extend our help to the ruling party and the government,” the Congress said, while reiterating its support for updating the NRC before the Census enumeration or house-listing exercise.
