Imphal, March 29: The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (CJFD) has raised concerns over assurances by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh regarding a fair and transparent Census 2027, citing unresolved issues including illegal immigration and the rehabilitation of displaced persons.
Addressing the media, CJFD convenor Jeetendra Ningomba criticised the government’s move to initiate census preparations while key demands remain pending. He said there is growing concern among sections of the public over the need to identify illegal immigrants, implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and ensure proper resettlement of internally displaced people before enumeration begins.
Questioning the feasibility of a fair exercise under current conditions, Ningomba said the absence of full resettlement and restrictions on free movement along highways could compromise the accuracy of the census. He warned that proceeding without identifying illegal immigrants may lead to distorted population data.
The organisation urged authorities to update the NRC in Manipur or introduce an alternative mechanism to identify undocumented individuals prior to the census, stressing that such measures are necessary to protect the interests of indigenous communities.
Ningomba also argued that relying on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) records would be inadequate, noting that the process is limited to updating electoral rolls and does not account for identifying illegal immigrants, particularly those below 18 years of age.
Describing illegal immigration as a serious issue, the CJFD said the government must take responsibility for any consequences if the census proceeds without addressing these concerns. The organisation further appealed to the public to raise awareness on census-related issues, including delimitation and NRC, and said it is willing to provide expert assistance if required.
