Manipur Census Protests: JFD Demands Deferral Amid Ethnic Tensions
In a significant development in Manipur, protesters under the banner of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) attempted to storm the Directorate of Census Operations at Porompat in Imphal East district on Tuesday. The demonstrators are demanding the immediate deferment of the upcoming census, citing the prevailing law and order situation in the state.
Protest March and Tense Standoff
Marchers from Soibam Leikai, Nongmeibung, and Kongpal areas converged at Porompat around noon, chanting slogans against the census enumeration. They insisted that the process should be postponed until illegal immigrants are properly identified and normalcy is fully restored across Manipur.
Security forces comprising both state and central personnel swiftly blocked the protesters at Porompat crossing and Kongal Iranpham, leading to a tense standoff. The situation remained volatile as demonstrators pressed forward with their demands.
Delegation Meeting and Key Demands
Later in the day, a delegation of 18 JFD representatives met with Census Directorate officials to formally present their concerns. JFD convenor Jeetendra Ningomba told reporters that ongoing displacement and ethnic tensions make it impossible to conduct a fair and accurate census at this time.
"The conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities is yet to be resolved, and there are emerging tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities," Ningomba explained. "Besides, there are thousands displaced from their original homes. Conducting census in such a situation will not only be infeasible but problematic."
The rally concluded peacefully after the meeting, with JFD reiterating its core demands:
- Implementation of mechanisms like the National Register of Citizens (NRC)
- Resettlement of displaced populations
- Complete restoration of peace before census operations begin
Broader Opposition to Census Timeline
This protest follows similar demonstrations earlier in the week. On Monday, dozens of women attempted to march to the Manipur legislative assembly during its session, pressing for deferment of the census, but were stopped by security forces.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) has formally urged the state government to postpone the census. In a letter to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand, the UNC cited multiple concerns:
- Illegal immigration issues
- Breakdown of public order
- Unresolved district rollback matters
The UNC warned that conducting census amid ongoing ethnic conflict and displacement would yield unreliable data and risk inflaming existing tensions further.
Census Background and National Significance
The census is scheduled to begin on April 1, marking the start of the long-delayed enumeration process. This will be India's first census since 2011, as the 2021 round was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conducted by the office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the exercise will roll out in two distinct phases:
- House listing and housing census
- Population enumeration
The Manipur protests highlight the complex challenges facing census operations in regions experiencing social unrest and ethnic conflicts. As various community organizations voice their concerns, the state government faces mounting pressure to address security and demographic issues before proceeding with the national enumeration exercise.
