Manipur MLA delegation to visit Delhi to apprise central leaders on NRC
The Manipur Government on Tuesday reiterated its stand that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) updation should be taken up in the State and that a delegation of MLAs will be visiting New Delhi to apprise the central leaders of
the issue.
Manipur Government spokesperson and MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh told reporters that “The Government has been very, very serious on the issues pertaining to NRC and the census and concerns related to demographic imbalances and changes. The concerns of the people are also ours.”
Singh said, “Manipur Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution on August 5, 2022, urging that the NRC be taken up in the State. The resolution was subsequently reaffirmed by the Assembly on March 1, 2024. This has been a long-standing issue of utmost concern for our Government. The Government has been corresponding with the Union Home Ministry.”
He also said that a team of MLAs would visit New Delhi to seek guidance and urge the Central Government to take up the NRC updation.
Singh said, “We have been pushing for NRC right from before and have been continuing the request to central leadership. We had already planned that a team of MLAs will be going to Delhi to seek guidance and also to request them to make sure that NRC is taken up before the census. It's the responsibility of all of us. I am sure positive directions will come up.”
He also stressed that the issue should be addressed collectively, irrespective of political party, community or other differences, as it concerns the future of the State and its people.
Singh also reiterated that the State Government acknowledges the demand of civil society organisations and the people of Manipur that NRC should be conducted before the Census.
On the ongoing bandh and protests, Singh said that peaceful protest is a democratic right and appealed to the protesters to express their grievances peacefully and democratically without resorting to violence or causing inconvenience to the general public, students and people whose livelihoods may be affected by the disruptions.
Regarding the NRC process, he stated that the matter requires discussion and consideration at various levels and that several aspects may need to be addressed before the NRC can be taken up.
