Why has the Census been deferred in Manipur?, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Centre deferred Census operations in Manipur on August 31, following demands from various community-based and civil society organisations (CSOs).
• These organisations called for the prior conduct of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in the state, using 1951 as the base year.
• The decision came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Manipur Governor and Chief Minister, aiming to prevent fresh tensions amid ongoing ethnic conflicts.
• The deferment also considers the upcoming State Assembly elections, less than a year away.
• The Meitei, Meitei Pangal, and Naga communities supported the deferment and the demand for NRC.
• The Kuki community, led by the Kuki-Zo Council, supported the Census, believing it would counter "illegal migrant" claims.

Manipur Census.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The decennial Census operation in Manipur was originally scheduled to commence on September 1.
• Pro-NRC groups argue that an NRC is essential to identify "illegal migrants" from Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), and Mizoram, who they claim threaten the state's "original inhabitants".
• They propose that individuals unable to establish a link to the 1951 Census should be declared "non-citizens of Manipur" and deported.
• The Manipur Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on August 5, 2022, seeking a State Population Commission and NRC implementation.
• The influx of Kuki-Chin refugees from Myanmar following the February 2021 military coup has been cited as a factor exacerbating ethnic tensions.
• Historically, Census operations were withheld in Assam in 1981 due to anti-immigrant movements and in Jammu and Kashmir in 1991 due to extremist activities.
• The national 2021 Census cycle was postponed to 2026-27 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The updated NRC process in Assam, published in 2019, remains incomplete and contested, with cases pending in the Supreme Court.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Census: An official enumeration of a population, typically conducted decennially, collecting demographic and socio-economic data.
• National Register of Citizens (NRC): A register containing names of all genuine Indian citizens, aimed at identifying and documenting legal residents.
• Delimitation: The process of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies to ensure equal representation based on population.
• Ethnic Conflict: A conflict between two or more ethnic groups, often driven by competition over resources, identity, or political power.