JFD reiterated its demand for identification of illegal immigrants before the proposed Census exercise in Manipur scheduled from August 16.
Imphal, May 22: Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) Convenor Jeetendra Ningomba reiterated the demand for identification of illegal immigrants before the Manipur Government conducts the proposed Census exercise scheduled to begin from August 16.
He made the remarks during public meetings held at Sekmai Koujengleima Community Hall, Awang Sekmai and Wangoi Bazar on Wednesday amid continuing pressure from various organisations seeking implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.
As per information received by NE Dispatch, the meetings discussed concerns surrounding the proposed Census and the need to identify undocumented immigrants before carrying out the enumeration process.
Addressing the gathering, Jeetendra Ningomba alleged that the failure to identify foreigners entering the state illegally has contributed to the ongoing unrest in Manipur.
He claimed that “Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists” involved in attacks against indigenous communities would not have carried out such violence if they themselves belonged to indigenous communities of the region.
“The identification of foreigners must become our unwavering goal before this land comes under foreign control,” Ningomba stated.
He further alleged that despite knowing the role played by illegal immigrants in the ongoing conflict, the government has remained indifferent towards identifying foreigners who allegedly entered the state secretly from neighbouring countries.
According to Ningomba, the Census conducted in 1951 was carried out properly, and conducting a fresh Census without identifying undocumented immigrants could create long-term demographic concerns for indigenous communities in Manipur.
He said the opposition raised by civil society groups is not against the Census itself but against conducting it without first identifying illegal immigrants.
As per source, Ningomba stated that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including Meira Paibi groups, have been continuously pressuring the government to identify foreigners and update the NRC in the interest of protecting indigenous communities.
He also said the government should not ignore the wishes and concerns being raised by the public through protests and awareness campaigns being carried out across the state.
Referring to the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023, Ningomba alleged that attacks carried out by “foreign illegal immigrants” have led to the deaths of innocent civilians, destruction of houses and displacement of thousands of people.
He urged the public to discuss collectively what role should be taken to safeguard the land and indigenous population of the state.
While acknowledging that Census operations are important for development planning and governance, Ningomba maintained that the process should only be conducted after identifying undocumented immigrants.
“The government must understand why the public is objecting to the Census without identifying foreigners first,” he stated.
