Manipur CM Supports NRC, Calls on Artists to Champion Peace

The Chief Minister of Manipur has expressed support for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state while making a separate appeal to artists and cultural workers to use their platforms for promoting peace and reconciliation.

Addressing cultural and artistic communities, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for the Meitei community to assume a leadership role in bringing an end to the ethnic tensions that have gripped the state. He called on them to exercise a "big brother and big sister" responsibility in facilitating dialogue and fostering communal harmony.

The remarks underscore the state government's multi-pronged approach to addressing the crisis—combining administrative measures through the NRC process with appeals to civil society and cultural figures to participate in peacebuilding efforts.

The state has witnessed prolonged ethnic tensions, with various communities affected by the violence. Officials have previously suggested that demographic verification through the NRC process could help address underlying grievances related to citizenship and settlement issues.

The Chief Minister's appeal to artists reflects recognition that cultural and artistic platforms can play a significant role in building bridges between communities and promoting messages of coexistence during periods of social upheaval.