Imphal: National People’s Party (NPP) MLA Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh has urged the Centre to defer the census in Manipur until the NRC is implemented, saying that conducting the population exercise before establishing citizenship status could cause grave injustice to the people of the state.Speaking to reporters in Imphal on Tuesday, Rameshwar said he had submitted data and representations to the Prime Minister, Union home minister, Union home secretary Govind Mohan, MHA Adviser (Northeast) Ajit Lal, and the registrar general and census commissioner of India.He said he had raised concerns over what he described as an unreasonable increase in the number of villages and electors in areas he identified as Kuki-Zo-dominated.Rameshwar cited govt records showing increases in the number of villages between 1969 and 2023 and in electoral figures between 2012 and 2022. According to the figures he presented, the number of villages in Chandel rose from 164 to 460, while it increased from 68 to 326 in Tengnoupal and from 179 to 721 in Kangpokpi.He also cited increases in the electorate in several constituencies, including Kangpokpi, Thanlon, Henglep and Churachandpur.“In some areas, the electorate has increased by 75%. If we look at it technically and mathematically, is it possible for the number of electors to increase by 75% in 10 years?” he asked, noting that a person becomes an elector only at the age of 18.“Based on my study, research and understanding, I can confirm there are definitely illegal immigrants in large numbers in Kuki-Zo areas,” he said, questioning whether the increase in the electorate could be explained solely by natural population growth.The NPP MLA proposed that the govt of India constitute a committee or similar mechanism comprising representatives of all communities, civil society organisations, scholars and researchers to examine the issue.He said the Manipur govt could also formally request the Centre to constitute such a committee to examine the grounds and methodology for implementing the NRC before the census.Rameshwar said the prevailing situation in Manipur, including displacement caused by the conflict since May 2023 and continuing tensions in several areas, made the state unsuitable for a comprehensive census at present.He also urged the central leadership and officials concerned to implement the NRC, saying previous postponements of the Census provided a precedent for the Centre to consider a similar step in Manipur.He said the issue could also be examined by a committee representing all communities.“If outsiders or illegal immigrants come and take away the democratic rights of the indigenous people of Manipur and India, it is going to be a very dangerous situation democratically. It could also lead to a situation where illegal immigrants take over political power and influence the policies of the country,” the MLA cautioned.He said the ultimate objective should be to establish a genuine list of citizens and electors before the census and delimitation exercises.
