Correspondent
IMPHAL, AUG 23: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has cautioned that proceeding with census operations in the state without updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) could further deepen existing divisions.
Issuing a statement on Sunday, the apex body urged people to actively participate in the ongoing “No NRC, No Census” movement until the demand is addressed with a satisfactory outcome.
COCOMI questioned the government’s motive in conducting the census while the violent crisis that erupted on May 3, 2023 remains unresolved.
It noted that communities are still unable to move freely or live together as before, and warned that ignoring the NRC demand would aggravate tensions.
The body stressed that the call for NRC implementation is not new, recalling that both COCOMI and the United Naga Council had earlier submitted a joint memorandum to the Centre highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the challenges confronting the people.
The statement pointed out that civil society organizations across the hills and valley are spearheading agitations demanding NRC update before census operations.
It argued that the government must not dismiss these concerns as mere law and order issues but instead engage in dialogue to identify and address the root causes.
“If the government does not handle the situation with utmost care, the people could be alienated further, leading to a more serious crisis,” the body warned.
COCOMI emphasized that previous movements demanding NRC implementation to identify illegal immigrants were not adequately addressed by successive governments, contributing to the current unrest.
It insisted that before census operations are undertaken, conditions must be created for internally displaced persons to return and rehabilitate in their original places, and for communities to move freely and interact without fear.
The apex body described the government’s decision to proceed with the census as “highly questionable” and potentially insensitive to ground realities.
It demanded that NRC implementation precede any census exercise, calling the demand both legitimate and reasonable.
COCOMI also criticized the suspension and dismissal of government employees accused of supporting the people’s movement, urging officials to reflect on whether their actions serve the larger interests of the state or contribute to further deterioration.
Reiterating its appeal, the body called for collective and peaceful participation in the “No NRC, No Census” movement until the government provides a satisfactory resolution.