Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had given a “positive response” to his demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before the Census.
Speaking to reporters at Imphal airport after returning from New Delhi, Biren Singh said he had met Shah to discuss the prevailing situation in Manipur and several issues concerning the state.
The discussions included the demand for NRC updation, the ongoing economic blockade and the counter-blockade. Biren Singh said the restrictions had contributed to a rise in the prices of essential commodities in the state.
According to the former chief minister, Shah listened to the concerns “with deep concern and patience” and indicated that some positive steps could be taken.
Biren Singh said he also referred to steps taken by the Manipur government in 2023 and 2024 towards updating the NRC. These included a decision of the state Cabinet and a resolution passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly in support of the process.
He said the issue of illegal immigration remained a serious concern for Manipur and could have implications for the state in the future.
Biren Singh claimed that 9,026 unauthorised villages had been detected so far. He linked the issue to the wider demand for identifying and documenting the state’s population before the Census.
According to Biren Singh, updating the NRC before the Census is a demand raised by the indigenous people of Manipur. He said the demand should be pursued through democratic and peaceful means and appealed to people to refrain from violence.
“I hope some positive steps would surely be taken up by the Centre in line with people’s demand on NRC updation before Census,” he said.
The former chief minister’s remarks come amid continuing concerns in Manipur over immigration, demographic changes and the prolonged unrest in the state. The NRC issue has remained a sensitive subject, with different sections seeking measures to establish a clearer record of the state’s residents.
Biren Singh said his meeting with the Union Home Minister focused on finding solutions to the issues affecting Manipur and conveying the concerns of the people to the Centre.
He also highlighted the impact of the economic blockade and counter-blockade on ordinary residents, particularly through increased prices of essential commodities.
The former chief minister said the concerns raised during his meeting with Shah had been heard by the Union government and expressed hope that the Centre would take steps on the NRC demand before the Census.
He reiterated his appeal for people to maintain peace while pursuing their demands, saying that issues concerning the state should be addressed through dialogue and constitutional processes rather than violence.
