Manipur NRC updation demand renewed, MLA team to visit Delhi
Synopsis
Manipur's ruling establishment is pushing harder than ever for NRC updation — with a formal MLA delegation heading to Delhi and two Assembly resolutions already on record. The demand, tied to Census 2027, puts the Centre in a delicate position as ethnic tensions and protests continue to simmer across the state.
Key Takeaways
The Manipur government reiterated its demand for NRC updation on 18 August , citing illegal migration and demographic imbalance.
A team of Manipur MLAs will visit New Delhi to urge the Centre to initiate the NRC process.
The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed resolutions demanding NRC updation on 5 August 2022 and again on 1 March 2024 .
The government has called for NRC updation to be completed before Census 2027 .
BJP MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh appealed for peaceful protest, acknowledging ongoing bandh and demonstrations across several districts.
The Manipur government on Tuesday, 18 August reiterated its demand for the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, citing concerns over demographic changes, demographic imbalance, and illegal migration. A delegation of state legislators is expected to travel to New Delhi shortly to press the Centre to initiate the NRC updation process.
What the Government Said
Government spokesperson Nityaipat Chuthek and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh — also a former minister — addressed the media at the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) auditorium in Imphal, affirming that the state government remains firmly committed to the NRC and Census issues. Singh stated that the Manipur Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution on 5 August 2022 urging that the NRC be taken up in the state, a resolution that was subsequently reaffirmed by the Assembly on 1 March 2024.
Singh noted that the matter has been a longstanding concern pursued through repeated correspondence with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. He stressed that the issue should be addressed collectively, cutting across political parties, communities, and religious lines, as it concerns the future of the state and its people.
MLA Delegation to Seek Central Guidance
The planned visit to New Delhi by a team of Manipur MLAs is intended to seek guidance from the Central government and once again urge it to formally initiate NRC updation. Singh reiterated that the government acknowledges the demand of civil society organisations and the people of Manipur that the NRC should be updated before Census 2027. He expressed confidence that continued engagement with the Central leadership would yield a positive outcome.
Appeal on Ongoing Protests
Addressing the ongoing bandh and protests across several districts of Manipur, Singh acknowledged that peaceful protest is a democratic right. However, he appealed to demonstrators to express their grievances peacefully and democratically, without resorting to violence or causing inconvenience to the general public, students, and those whose livelihoods are affected by the disruptions.
Key Officials Present
The media briefing was also attended by government spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam, and MLAs Th. Shyamkumar, P. Brojen, T. Robindro, S. Premchandra, Sapam Kunjakeshwor Singh, Th. Shanti, and Ashab Uddin. The broad legislative presence signals that the demand carries cross-section support within the ruling establishment. How the Centre responds to the incoming MLA delegation will be closely watched as Manipur continues to navigate a fragile political and social landscape.
Point of View
But that calculus may shift as Manipur's ethnic fault lines remain dangerously unresolved. Whether Delhi engages substantively or offers another round of assurances will determine how much longer the state government can hold the line against escalating street pressure.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Manipur government's NRC demand?
The Manipur government is demanding that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be updated in the state to address concerns over illegal migration and demographic imbalance. The demand has been formalised through two Manipur Legislative Assembly resolutions, passed in August 2022 and March 2024.
Why is the MLA delegation visiting New Delhi?
A team of Manipur MLAs is travelling to New Delhi to seek guidance from the Central government and urge it to formally initiate the NRC updation process in Manipur. The visit follows repeated correspondence with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that has yet to yield a concrete outcome.
What is the timeline the Manipur government is seeking for NRC updation?
The Manipur government has called for NRC updation to be completed before Census 2027, in line with demands from civil society organisations and the broader public in the state.
Who are the key figures behind this demand?
Government spokesperson Nityaipat Chuthek and BJP MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh, a former minister, are leading the public articulation of the demand. The briefing was also attended by several other MLAs, indicating broad legislative backing within the ruling establishment.
What is the current situation on the ground in Manipur?
Ongoing bandh and protests have been reported across several districts of Manipur. MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh acknowledged the protests and appealed to demonstrators to remain peaceful, warning against violence or disruption to public life, students, and livelihoods.
