Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh inaugurated a two-day seminar on Manipur's demographic profile and appealed against bandhs and blockades, while the Home Minister reiterated the state's willingness to conduct an NRC exercise within the constitutional framework.
Imphal, August 7: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday inaugurated a two-day Consultative Meeting-cum-Seminar on the Demographic Profile of Manipur, calling for informed discussions on demographic issues while urging people to avoid protests that disrupt normal public life and economic activities.
The seminar, jointly organised by the Home Department, Government of Manipur, and the Manipur State Population Commission, began at Imperial Hall, Classic Grande, Imphal. It brought together government officials, civil society organisations, academicians, intellectuals and community representatives to deliberate on demographic issues affecting the state.
Addressing the inaugural session, the Chief Minister said repeated bandhs, blockades and other forms of agitation along national highways have adversely affected both the state's economy and the wider national economy.
He observed that such disruptions have the greatest impact on daily wage earners, whose livelihoods depend on uninterrupted economic activity.
Inaugurated the 2-Day Consultative Meeting-cum-Seminar on the Demographic Profile of Manipur at Classic Grande today in the presence of Hon’ble Minister (Home/YAS) Shri K. Govindas Singh, eminent resource persons, and distinguished dignitaries.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) August 7, 2026
Protecting Manipur’s identity,… pic.twitter.com/dQkaj4HTP1
Referring to the ongoing highway blockade, Khemchand Singh said truck drivers transporting essential commodities to Manipur have been facing serious hardships while stranded on national highways.
He reiterated that the state government remains committed to supporting initiatives that serve the larger public interest.
Expressing confidence in the deliberations, the Chief Minister said he hoped the seminar would generate constructive recommendations for the welfare of the people. He stressed that any suggestions or resolutions emerging from the discussions should remain within the framework of the Constitution of India.
He also appealed to the public not to resort to any form of agitation that hampers the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
In his presidential address, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the Manipur government has already conveyed to the Central Government its willingness to conduct a National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in the state in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.
He informed participants that the Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a High-Level Committee to study demographic changes across the country.
The Home Minister said that despite political and ideological differences, all sections of society should work together in the larger public interest and collectively address issues concerning the indigenous people of Manipur.
The inaugural session was attended by N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur; M. Manimoham Meitei, State Population Commissioner; Dr. M. Veto Singh, Secretary of the Manipur State Population Commission; representatives of civil society organisations, community and women's groups, academicians, intellectuals and officials of the Home Department.
The two-day seminar is expected to deliberate on issues related to Manipur's demographic profile and gather expert inputs for policy discussions.
