Manipur Government Stresses NRC Implementation Before Census, Seeks Patience from Protesters

Manipur's state government announced that it remains "serious" about completing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the next national census. The declaration comes amid heightened scrutiny of the NRC process across the country and follows weeks of local agitation over its potential impact.
The administration emphasized that the NRC exercise is a priority and must be concluded prior to the census to ensure an accurate citizen database. Officials indicated that the timeline is being coordinated with central authorities, although specific dates were not disclosed.
In a parallel move, the government appealed to protestors, asking them to grant the administration additional time to address logistical and legal challenges. The call for patience reflects the government's attempt to balance the contentious public sentiment with its policy objectives.
Stakeholders are expected to monitor how the state navigates the dual pressures of implementing the NRC and maintaining public order ahead of the census schedule.