Imphal/Guwahati: The Kuki‑Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of leading Kuki‑Zo organisations, has rejected demands by some Meitei groups that a National Register of Citizens (NRC) be compiled before the next decennial census, saying demographic issues should be settled on the basis of verified census data.
KZC calls for unobstructed census, opposes unilateral NRC
In a media release issued on Sunday, KZC welcomed the resumption of the decennial census process — postponed from 2021 because of the COVID‑19 pandemic — and urged all stakeholders to allow the exercise to proceed without obstruction. The council also backed delimitation based on the verified demographic data the census will provide.
On the question of a separate NRC for Manipur, KZC reiterated that the NRC is a national exercise under the authority of the Union government and that no community or state government has a legitimate provision to initiate a separate register unilaterally. The council described demands for an NRC prior to the publication of census results as premature and unjustified.
"KZC welcomes the decennial census process initiated by the Central govt... Given the falsehoods and propaganda surrounding our population and demographic status during the Manipur conflict, an impartial census is essential to establish facts and dispel unfounded claims," the release said.
Reference to Assam exercise and legal complexities
The KZC pointed to the NRC updating process in Assam as an example of the complexities involved. It noted that the Assam exercise excluded around 19 lakh people and remains subject to legal challenges, arguing that those calling for a similar operation in Manipur should weigh its procedural, legal and social implications.
The council said allegations and speculation about the Kuki‑Zo community’s demographic position should be evaluated only against credible, impartial data — which the census, not a prior NRC, is suited to provide. It urged all parties to refrain from using population questions for communal propaganda or victimisation.
What KZC wants from stakeholders
- Allow the census to be conducted without interference and accept its findings as the authoritative demographic record.
- Respect the Central government’s prerogative over any national NRC exercise and not pursue separate state‑level registers.
- Avoid weaponising demographic issues for communal mobilisation or to settle scores arising from the Manipur conflict.
The release also welcomed delimitation on the basis of verified census data, saying this would help ensure fair representation. The council stressed that reliable population figures are essential to resolve disputes over political representation and resources.
Local context and implications
Manipur has witnessed heightened tensions over identity and representation since the 2023 violence that deeply affected inter‑community relations. Calls for an NRC from some quarters reflect anxieties about citizenship and demographic balance, while others insist the national census should be the primary instrument to establish official population counts.
Because the census is a Central government exercise, an authoritative count will be used for planning, resource allocation and possible delimitation. KZC’s position frames the census as the procedural starting point for any subsequent policy decisions tied to population figures.
Questions likely to follow
Key questions that could shape the next phase of public discussion include:
| Issue | Relevant point |
|---|---|
| Authority | Census and NRC are under Central government jurisdiction; state or community‑level NRCs lack legal basis, says KZC. |
| Timing | KZC says an NRC before Census 2027 is premature; census results should inform demographic debate. |
| Precedent | Assam NRC excluded about 19 lakh people and remains legally contested, the council observed. |
The council’s statement is likely to be taken into account by policymakers and civil society actors who are managing communal sensitivities ahead of the 2027 census exercise. How political parties, Meitei organisations and the state administration respond will shape whether discussions remain focused on procedural facts or revert to contested claims.
For now, KZC’s public stance emphasises an evidence‑first approach: allow the census to establish the demographic baseline and use that data, rather than pre‑emptive registers, as the foundation for decisions on representation and related policy measures.
