Demand for NRC in Manipur: Hundreds of Imas take to streets, says ILP not enough to safeguard indigenous people

The clamour for implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur is getting louder every passing day. This time the issue has taken center stage as the movement has begun from the heart of Imphal – the Ima Keithel (Mothers’ Market).

Demanding safeguard for the identity and rights of the indigenous people of the state, Ima (Mother)s in large numbers took to the streets demanding the implementation of NRC. The Imas at first gathered at the Ima Keithel (Mothers’ Market), before marching towards the Chief Minister’s bungalow.

However, the Imas were intercepted by the police midway and stopped them from moving forward. Soon, the Imas returned to the Ima Keithel and staged demonstration in support of their demand.

Speaking to Northeast Live, the Imas said that implementation of the ILP system is not enough to tackle the menace of influx of illegal migrants. Besides the Imas also demanded that all the 60 MLAs raise their voice demanding the implementation of NRC in the state as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, representatives of AMSU, MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK and AIMS also expressed solidarity to the demonstration carried out by the Imas.

Vidyananda, who is the joint convenor of the 6 students organisations responding to a query on whether there is a need for NRC, since ILP is already in effect, the students’ leader said,”NRC and ILP are 2 different things. ILP is only related with the migrants, but NRC is related to illegal immigrants and for their detection. So, NRC and ILP are very different things. We have already submitted memorandum (to Union HM) regarding this issue and we are discussing about further course of action. We are planning to organize a mass sansitization program across the state. As part of the sanisitization campaign we are organizing a public rally at the earliest.”

It may be mentioned that on August 5, 2022, the Manipur Legislative Assembly had adopted resolution to establish a state population commission and also to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The resolution was adopted following a private members’ resolution moved by MLA Kh. Joykisan.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh while joining the discussion, had said that it would be the desire of all the members to institute a population commission and to implement the NRC.

The demand for NRC further gained momentum in Manipur this year, after at least 6 students groups- All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Students Union of Kangleipak (SUK) and Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Singpanglup (AIMS); tried to storm into the Chief Minister’s residence and also the Raj Bhawan on March 13th.

Following this the agitation had reached Delhi after members of the 6 students bodies had demonstrated at the Jantar Mantar.

The demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has gained further momentum as 7 apex students bodies today sent a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for looking into the matter and issue suitable instructions to concerned authorities.

In the memorandum, the students bodies demanded there must be an NRC in the state as it has been done in Assam with 1951 as the base year. The students groups are also demanding the same cut off year 1951 for implementation of NRC in Manipur.