📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / DeepanjanGhosh
Politics
Five Manipur CSOs demand end to violence, reject census ahead of NRC update
✍️ Imphal Times
🗓 04 Oct 2026, 03:47 AM
👁 10
Five civil society organisations in Manipur have called for an immediate halt to violence and opposed holding a census before the pending NRC update, issuing a joint statement in Imphal.
A coalition of five civil society organisations based in Imphal, Manipur, has publicly demanded an end to the recent wave of violence in the state. In a joint statement, the groups urged the state and central governments to take decisive steps to restore peace and protect civilians.
The organisations also expressed strong opposition to conducting a national census before the pending update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). They argue that proceeding with the census amid ongoing unrest could exacerbate tensions and undermine the rights of vulnerable communities.
The statement, released on Thursday, called on authorities to prioritize security and dialogue over administrative exercises, emphasizing that a peaceful environment is essential for any demographic exercise to be credible and inclusive.
While the CSOs did not name specific political actors, they appealed to the Election Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs to defer the census schedule until the NRC issue is resolved and stability is restored in the region.
The demand adds to growing civil society pressure on the government to address both the security situation and the contentious NRC process in Manipur.
The organisations also expressed strong opposition to conducting a national census before the pending update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). They argue that proceeding with the census amid ongoing unrest could exacerbate tensions and undermine the rights of vulnerable communities.
The statement, released on Thursday, called on authorities to prioritize security and dialogue over administrative exercises, emphasizing that a peaceful environment is essential for any demographic exercise to be credible and inclusive.
While the CSOs did not name specific political actors, they appealed to the Election Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs to defer the census schedule until the NRC issue is resolved and stability is restored in the region.
The demand adds to growing civil society pressure on the government to address both the security situation and the contentious NRC process in Manipur.