Congress seeks postponement of Census in Manipur, cites displacement
Inner Manipur MP A. Bimol Akoijam says conducting the exercise under the present circumstances would be an injustice to those affected by the conflict
The Congress party in India has called for a delay in the upcoming Census in the state of Manipur, expressing concerns over the ongoing violence and the mass displacement of residents. Inner Manipur Member of Parliament A. Bimol Akoijam, representing the Congress party, argued that attempting to conduct the Census under these conditions would be unjust to those affected by the conflict.
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Akoijam detailed that approximately 60,000 individuals have been left homeless since the violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023. Many of these displaced persons are still residing in relief camps, and over 10,000 homes have been destroyed or severely damaged. The Congress party emphasized that they are requesting a postponement, not a cancellation, of the Census exercise until the situation in the state improves.
Akoijam highlighted the impossibility of accurately counting the number of homeless people in relief camps during the Census, stating that doing so would only add to the suffering of the Manipuri people. He had previously raised this issue in Parliament under Rule 377 and sent a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Additionally, Akoijam called for the completion of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process before the Census, expressing worry about illegal migration from Myanmar across the border.
He also demanded the operation of Foreigners Tribunals within the state to identify individuals who are not citizens. The MP emphasized the need to clarify questions about Manipur’s population figures, particularly those issues that arose following the 2001 and 2011 Census enumerations.
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