Thadou Inpi Manipur urges the state government to seek Census deferment, questioning selective consultations and the feasibility of credible enumeration.
Imphal, August 10: The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has urged the Government of Manipur to pursue the deferment or cancellation of the Census in the state rather than seek support from selected organisations, arguing that a credible population enumeration is not possible under the prevailing law and order and displacement situation.
In a media release issued on Monday, TIM expressed disappointment over the state government's decision to invite only the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) and 14 civil society organisations (CSOs) for a follow-up meeting on the outcome of the two-day Consultative Meeting-cum-Seminar on the Demographic Profile of Manipur.
The seminar was organised by the Government of Manipur to gather views from communities and organisations across the state. TIM stated that participants were given an opportunity to present their observations and recommendations and that a collective concern raised during the deliberations was the feasibility of conducting a credible Census in Manipur amid continuing displacement and the prevailing situation.
TIM said restricting the follow-up consultation to JFD and the 14 CSOs undermines the inclusive character of the original seminar.
The organisation clarified that it respects the participating organisations but questioned the decision to hold an exclusive follow-up meeting with only the two groups.
According to TIM, the move raises concerns over the fairness and inclusiveness of the consultation process initiated by the State Home Department.
TIM questions officials' absence
TIM also criticised the absence of senior administrative officials, particularly the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, from the two-day consultative meeting.
The organisation described their absence as a serious administrative lapse, claiming that it weakened the effectiveness of the exercise.
TIM further alleged that the seminar appeared hurried and inadequately planned, particularly in view of the reported August 17 commencement date for the Census exercise.
The organisation questioned whether the consultation could meaningfully address the demographic concerns of the state without the participation of the competent authorities responsible for the Census-related process.
Calls for deferment until normalcy returns
TIM appealed to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and his Council of Ministers to approach the Government of India for deferment of the Census in Manipur until normalcy is fully restored.
The organisation said the government should not seek support for conducting Census 2027 from selected organisations but should instead press for a postponement, citing concerns over the reliability of demographic data in the current circumstances.
“The integrity of Manipur's demographic data is non-negotiable and must not be compromised,” TIM stated.
The organisation further argued that any Census conducted before restoration of normalcy, effective governance and the safe rehabilitation of internally displaced persons would lack credibility and public confidence.
TIM also listed several other conditions it considers necessary, including the deletion of the phrase “Any Kuki tribes” from the Scheduled Tribes List of Manipur through the due constitutional process and updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The organisation called on the Government of India to defer or cancel the Census in Manipur until what it described as these essential conditions are fulfilled.
TIM reiterates position on Thadou identity
The statement also included a position attributed to the Thadou Convention, 2024, asserting that Thadou is a distinct ethnic group and rejecting the description of Thadou as Kuki or as a constituent part of the Kuki community.
The statement said organisations that incorporate the term “Thadou” while espousing a Kuki identity or portraying Thadou as Kuki do not represent the Thadou people or their interests.
The comments come amid continuing debates in Manipur over demographic data, displacement, ethnic identity and the conditions under which future population enumeration should be conducted.
