Manipur's Anti-Census Movement Continues Despite State Government's Failure to Postpone Schedule

The Campaign for Just & Fair Delimitation (JFD) said its statewide anti-Census movement will continue after the state government failed to provide a written assurance on postponing the August 17 Census schedule. JFD delegates met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal and demanded an update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the enumeration process begins. JFD convenor Jeetendra Ningomba said the statewide movement would continue until the concerns over demographic changes and the status of displaced people are addressed through legal measures. He said street demonstrations and civil resistance would continue. The campaign has also appealed to enumerators and supervisors across the districts to boycott training sessions and refrain from participating in Census-related duties. A 15-member JFD delegation met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for 90 minutes at Lok Bhavan in Imphal on August 14. The delegation demanded an update of the NRC and the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) before the Census is conducted. The anti-Census agitation began in Manipur on August 10, 2026, under the slogan “No NRC, No Census”. The movement has drawn participation from different ethnic communities, including Meiteis, Nagas and Meitei Pangals. The protesters began a march from the Wangkhei Angom Leikai (WAL Club) towards Lok Bhavan near the Palace Compound Traffic Point. Security personnel from the central and state forces stopped the march to prevent the protesters from reaching the Lok Bhavan gates. Security forces later allowed 15 JFD representatives to enter Lok Bhavan and submit a memorandum to the administration. During the meeting, Ningomba led the delegation in urging the Governor to halt the proposed Census exercise. Governor Bhalla said any formal decision to postpone the Census would require a recommendation from the state government to the Centre. He assured the delegation that he would discuss the matter with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam. Bhalla also said he had already informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation in Manipur and the demographic concerns related to the Census.