JFD pauses its intensive campaign after government assurances but says protests could resume if commitments on NRC and population policy are not fulfilled
Imphal: The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has temporarily suspended its intensive agitation over the proposed Census 2027 exercise in Manipur, while warning that the campaign could be intensified again if the state government fails to act on its commitments.
JFD convenor Jeetendra Ningomba said sustained public mobilisation had contributed to the deferment of the house-listing phase of the census in the state. He said the movement would continue to press for a 1951-based National Register of Citizens (NRC), full staffing of the Manipur State Population Commission, a state population policy and a white paper detailing the NRC process.
The decision followed assurances from the state government. Government spokesperson Dr Sapam Ranjan said on October 3 that the government would approach the Centre seeking complete deferment of census-related work in Manipur.
The government has also said steps are being taken to strengthen the Population Commission, formulate a population policy and prepare the proposed NRC white paper. The JFD said routine campaigns and sit-ins would continue during the interim period.
Meanwhile, former Manipur chief minister Nongthombam Biren and three other MLAs have expressed support for updating the NRC before the census. The JFD Women’s Wing submitted a five-point memorandum seeking written commitments from the legislators.
The JFD said it would monitor the government’s progress before deciding on its next course of action.
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