In a significant development, the Union Government today deferred the Census operations in Manipur.
The decision came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level review meeting in New Delhi today to assess the current situation in Manipur. The meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs was attended by the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, along with other senior officials.
The meeting discussed in detail on the demand raised by the people of Manipur to defer the Census exercise in the State before the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The meeting agreed to defer the proposed Census exercise in the State considering the feelings and aspirations of the people of Manipur.
Following the meeting, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other central leaders for listening to the voices of the people and fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the State. He also thanked National BJP President Nitin Nabin for his continuous support in fulfilling the wishes of the people of Manipur.
He also appreciated the efforts of the leaders of 14 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the delegation of BJP MLAs, who had recently campaigned in New Delhi for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur. The Chief Minister said that their regular engagement with central leaders and officials has resulted in today’s decision.
CM Khemchand Singh said that calling bandhs and general strikes will not help in pressing demands before the Government and added that such actions would cause more hardship to the common people. Instead, he urged civil society groups to continue dialogue and extend full cooperation to the administration in addressing the socio-political challenges of the State. The government is for the people and any issues of the state should be consulted with the government for getting a better solution.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that both the Manipur Government and the Union Government remain committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the State.
