KAMJONG: The Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has intensified its call for an NRC update in Manipur before the next Census, urging indigenous communities to unite behind the demand at an awareness programme held at Khamlang village, under Kasom Khullen Block in Kamjong district on Tuesday.
The program was organised by the Kasom Khullen Sub-Division Students’ Union (KKSDSU), representing forty four villages, in collaboration with the Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD). Various civil society, youth, women union, and village chiefs and leaders attended the program.
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Worthingso Jajo, the general secretary of the KKSDSU, stated the program was organised to enlighten the masses of the area about the need for NRC update before census. He expressed hope that the program serves as an eye opener about the NRC update demand in the state. He thanked the JFD for the initiative undertaken to spread awareness among the local populace.
Trimson Saka, the working president of the Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO), stated that they have conducted NRC awareness program in various places in the state keeping in view the urgent need of the demand. He stated the NRC update demand is the need of the hour and highlighted the various impact it could have on the indigenous communities if the census is conducted without NRC update. He also reported briefed on the impact of large-scale illegal immigration on the indigenous communities in the state while stressing the need to update the NRC before conducting the Census.
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Dr L. Phaomei, convener of the UZCC, spoke about concerns over immigration in Manipur and cited the various issues the indigenous communities faced in the state. He stated that the indigenous Naga communities and landowners were facing conflict-related challenges, which he attributed to illegal immigration. He called on all indigenous communities to unite and work collectively to address the issues.
JFD convener Jeetendra Ningombam emphasised the need for an NRC update before the Census and the reason for using 1951 as the base year. He stated that 1951 was chosen as it was the first Census year after Manipur’s merger with the Indian Union.
Ningombam urged all indigenous communities to jointly pursue the demand and outlined what he described as the potential consequences of conducting delimitation without updating the NRC. He also pointed to what he termed disproportionate population growth in certain districts of the state. He also briefed on the effects on the indigenous communities in the state if the “No NRC, No Census” demand is not met.
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JFD Finance Secretary Sunil Karam described the NRC campaign as the “last bus” for indigenous communities and urged people to support and cooperate with the demand for an update. He also highlighted issues confronting indigenous communities, particularly the Nagas and Meiteis.
During the interaction session, participants expressed gratitude to the organisers for the noble initiative undertaken. They also held placards demanding NRC update before conducting the census in the state.