Manipur Census operation deferred amid NRC demands

The Census operation in Manipur has been deferred due to opposition from pro-NRC groups who demand the implementation of the National Register of Citizens in the state. These groups argue that an NRC is essential to identify and deport illegal immigrants, which they link to Manipur's ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The deferment highlights the deep political and social divisions in the state, where demands for an NRC have become intertwined with broader ethnic tensions and calls for indigenous protection.