Political parties across the spectrum came together at a conclave in Imphal on Sunday to oppose any attempt to carry out delimitation in Manipur before a fresh national census, warning that redrawing constituencies on the basis of disputed or outdated data could spark fresh instability in the state.
The parties asserted that the next census in Manipur should be conducted only after peace and normalcy are fully restored and after key corrective measures—such as the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and rectification of past census irregularities—are completed.
The conclave, organised by the Campaign for Just & Fair Delimitation (JFD), was held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Konung Mamang, as part of a broader campaign to forge political and civil society consensus on ensuring fairness and accuracy in any future delimitation exercise. The programme included an interactive session with the media.
Former RIMS Professor and demography expert R.K. Narendra moderated the discussions, offering statistical and technical perspectives on census data, while JFD convenor Jeetendra Ningomba presided over the meeting. Leaders and representatives from multiple political parties articulated their positions, blending political concerns with expert assessments.
Resolutions adopted at the conclave rejected the idea of any interim or partial census for Manipur in 2027. Participants emphasised that an all-India census should take place only after the state achieves stability, so that population data genuinely reflects Manipur’s demographic realities. They warned that inaccuracies in earlier census figures have already skewed political representation and heightened inter-community mistrust.
On delimitation, the conclave maintained that Manipur must not be subjected to a separate or standalone exercise. Instead, delimitation should be undertaken only as part of the nationwide process following the next census. The parties cautioned that pursuing delimitation amid ongoing ethnic tensions—particularly on the basis of contested 2001 census data—could deepen divisions among Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities and undermine fragile peace efforts.
Citing Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948, the conclave urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to refrain from notifying or conducting any special census in Manipur in 2027 unless specific conditions are met. These include restoration of peace, completion of resettlement of internally displaced persons, return to normal civil governance, and the establishment of a credible mechanism such as the NRC to identify illegal immigrants.
The parties further resolved to collectively engage the Government of India through political dialogue and legal avenues, including approaching the Supreme Court if required, to ensure that no delimitation exercise is carried out on the basis of disputed census data.
The meeting was attended by representatives of at least 12 political parties, including Shiv Sena (Manipur Pradesh), Manipur People’s Party, Republican Party of India (Athawale), Aam Aadmi Party, National People’s Party, GGP, Democratic People’s Front, Bharatiya Janata Party (Manipur Pradesh), Indian National Congress, Janata Dal (United), CPI(M) and CPI.
Senior leaders such as M. Tikendra of the Shiv Sena, Kh. Sharatchandra of the MPP, Bishwanath Thingnam of the AAP, I. Hemochandra of the NPP, along with representatives from the Congress and BJP, highlighted a rare convergence across party lines on the demand that census and delimitation in Manipur be deferred until credible data is available and lasting peace is restored.
