New Delhi: Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Inner Manipur, has once again urged the Union Government to defer the ongoing Census in Manipur and any subsequent delimitation exercise until conditions necessary for a credible enumeration are restored.
In his latest letter dated 19 August 2026 to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Prof. Akoijam recalled that he had raised the matter in the Lok Sabha under Rule 377 on 30 March 2026, followed by a detailed letter seeking deferment of the Census and delimitation until a credible citizenship-verification process, including the National Register of Citizens (NRC), is undertaken and a Foreigners Tribunal for Manipur is established.
Prof. Akoijam has reiterated that the situation in Manipur remains unsuitable for a credible Census, citing the continued displacement of nearly 60,000 people, the spread of violence into areas previously less affected, and violence between Scheduled Tribe communities in Ukhrul, Kamjong and Noney districts. He also highlighted continuing disruptions on National Highways and difficulties in accessing essential services.
He has urged the Centre to defer the exercise until normalcy is restored, displaced persons are rehabilitated, and a credible institutional mechanism for citizenship verification is put in place. He clarified that his position is not against the Census, but seeks to ensure that it is conducted under conditions that make its findings accurate, credible and acceptable to the people of Manipur.
Today, Prof. Akoijam also addressed the national media at the AICC Headquarters, 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi, where he elaborated on the concerns surrounding the Census, the continuing crisis in Manipur, the need for credible citizenship verification, and the implications for any subsequent delimitation exercise.
