Centre defers Census operations in Manipur
The focus of the meeting was on the demand raised by the people of Manipur, specifically Meitei, Pangals (Meitei Muslims), and Nagas, to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the Census
Centre has deferred the Census operations in Manipur , the Chief Minister’s Office said on Monday (August 31, 2026).
The decision followed a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to assess the current situation in the State. Union Home Minister Amit Shah headed the meeting, which was attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and other senior officials.
The focus of the meeting was on the demand raised by the people of Manipur, specifically Meitei, Pangals (Meitei Muslims), and Nagas, to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the Census.
“It was agreed to defer the Census exercise in the State considering the feelings and aspirations of the people of Manipur,” the Chief Minister said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Shah, and other Central leaders for listening to the voices of Manipur’s inhabitants.
He also appreciated the efforts of the leaders of 14 civil society organisations and a delegation of the State’s Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs, who campaigned in New Delhi for the implementation of the NRC in Manipur.
The Chief Minister reminded certain groups in Manipur that shutdowns and general strikes would not help in pressing demands before the government. Instead, he urged the civil society groups to continue dialogue and extend full cooperation to the administration in addressing the socio-political challenges of the State.
The High Court of Manipur also directed that the Census exercise in the State remain deferred until further orders. The Census exercise was scheduled to begin in the State on September 1.
On Monday (August 31), a special Bench comprising Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice A. Guneswar Sharma heard two separate petitions, one filed by the Kangleipak Students’ Association and the other by Shanta Nahakpam, the convener of the 14 civil society groups.
The petitions sought directions to update the NRC using 1951 as the base year and to address concerns over illegal migration from Myanmar before the Census is carried out.
Earlier, the influential Kuki-Zo Council dismissed the NRC demand, calling it “premature and unjustified,” and welcomed the Census exercise.