Manipur CM briefs Shah on public demand for NRC before census

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said he has informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about widespread public demand in Manipur for conducting a National Register of Citizens ahead of the census. Singh referenced his government's earlier initiative on the matter, noting that the NRC process was initiated in February 2023.

The NRC, a procedure to identify and document Indian citizens, has been a contentious issue in several northeastern states. In Manipur, where ethnic tensions and demographic concerns have long featured in political discourse, the demand for the register reflects growing calls from sections of the population seeking clarity on citizenship status.

Singh's statement indicates that the state government continues to prioritize the matter at the highest levels of the central administration. The timing of the NRC before the next national census has emerged as a key demand from various groups in the state, underscoring broader concerns about population documentation and verification processes.

The Union Home Ministry oversees the NRC process and citizenship-related matters, making Shah's portfolio central to any potential implementation. Singh's engagement with the senior cabinet minister suggests ongoing efforts to push forward the state's agenda on the issue within the policy framework of the central government.