Guwahati: The Manipur assembly has once again affirmed its resolution, initially adopted in August 2022, advocating for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.
In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, Chief Minister N Biren Singh emphasised the significance of this step.
“Today, the Manipur legislative assembly took a significant step by reaffirming our resolution passed on August 5, 2022. We firmly believe that implementing the NRC in Manipur is crucial for safeguarding our state’s interests and contributing to the greater good of our nation,” he said.
Singh further added, “The decision to urge the Government of India to expedite the implementation of the NRC reflects our commitment to ensuring the security and integrity of Manipur. I urge all citizens to support this endeavor as we strive to build a stronger, more prosperous Manipur for generations to come.”
The initial resolution, adopted on August 6, 2022, was prompted by demands from various student and tribal bodies seeking the enforcement of NRC to identify individuals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal residing illegally in Manipur.
Given Manipur’s proximity to Myanmar, concerns have been raised about the presence of individuals from the Chin-Kuki community, who share close ties with Kukis residing primarily in certain hill districts of Manipur, illegally in the northeastern state.
Despite the introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system by the Centre in December 2019, which mandates individuals from outside Manipur to obtain a permit before visiting the state, there remains a perception that this measure is insufficient for detecting illegal migrants already residing in Manipur.
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It is noteworthy that Assam stands as the sole state in the country where the NRC, initially prepared in 1951, was updated in 2019 under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The purpose was to identify illegal immigrants who entered the state after March 25, 1971.
The final NRC list published in August 2019 excluded 1.9 million out of the 33 million applicants. However, it has faced criticism from the BJP-led state government, which contends that the list includes illegal immigrants while excluding eligible individuals.
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