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Centre defers Census in Manipur after meeting chaired by Amit Shah
The Union government delayed house listing after civil society groups pressed for the National Register of Citizens to be updated first.
On Monday, the Union Government deferred the census in Manipur following a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to "assess the current situation" in the state.
Demands from Civil Society Organisations prompted the decision, as groups sought to update the National Register of Citizens before the census to address fears of "demographic changes" from illegal immigrants entering via Myanmar.
At least 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since May 2023 due to ethnic violence between the valley-based Meiteis and the Kukis who live in the hill districts.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah for the decision, which was communicated to the Manipur High Court during a hearing on Monday.
Officials agreed to postpone the proposed census exercise 2027 in Manipur to respect the "feelings and aspirations" of the people, marking a significant shift in the state's demographic planning.