Okram Ibobi Singh has urged the Centre to postpone the upcoming census exercise in Manipur until normal conditions are restored, citing concerns over displacement and the reliability of data.
Speaking at a press conference, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president emphasised that a census is a critical national exercise that must generate accurate and dependable data. He warned that flawed or incomplete data could negatively impact governance, policy decisions, and development planning.
Ibobi pointed out that previous census data, particularly from 2001, continued to influence policy for years, but also raised concerns about discrepancies that allegedly led to irregular delimitation in certain districts. He noted that some areas recorded unusually high population growth compared to the national average, which he said had earlier prompted Congress to oppose delimitation based on such data.
Highlighting current challenges, he said large-scale displacement in Manipur—where thousands are living in relief camps or have been forced to relocate—makes accurate enumeration difficult. He added that ongoing cross-border movement due to the situation in neighbouring Myanmar could further complicate the process.
Ibobi argued that a proper census should only be conducted after displaced residents return to their homes and illegal immigrants are identified. He cautioned that proceeding with delimitation based on potentially flawed data could create further unrest.
On the National Register of Citizens (NRC), he clarified that the Congress supports identifying illegal immigrants but criticised the BJP for what he described as inconsistent positions on the issue.
He also called for a broader political consensus on key matters, expressing willingness for all-party discussions with the Centre. Additionally, he remarked that in a democratic system, leaders should have unrestricted movement across all parts of the state, including sensitive regions.
