The Future of Delimitation in Manipur: Concerns and Controversies Arise
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to grant the Union Government three months to carry out the delimitation exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam has generated widespread debate and anxiety in Manipur. Social and political activists are among those sounding alarm bells, warning that the move is “unfortunate and untimely” for the conflict-ridden state.
According to social activist Sanjoy Ahanthem, it would be wiser to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) first before delimitation. He believes that detecting and deporting illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar is essential before redrawing electoral boundaries. “We need to prioritize the NRC process to identify the actual citizens of Manipur and then proceed with delimitation,” Ahanthem emphasized. The Manipur government has already set up a Population Commission to determine the state’s indigenous population and identify those who are not indigenous.
Former cabinet minister and leader of the CPI Manipur State Council, Dr. N. Nara Singh, supported Ahanthem’s demand, reiterating his party’s long-standing call for three Lok Sabha constituencies in Manipur, instead of the current two Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur. He believes that this would provide a more representative voice for the people of the state.
The need for a structured approach to ensure proper identification of citizens before any delimitation process begins has been emphasized by activists and political leaders. They urge for a unified stance among parties, civil society organizations, legal experts, student bodies, and scholars to determine the way forward for Manipur’s future.
The controversy surrounding delimitation in Manipur is expected to continue, with the Population Commission aiming to determine the state’s indigenous population by using the 1961 Inner Line Permit as the base year. Those who arrived in the state before 1961 will be considered permanent settlers, while those who arrived after 1961 will not be recognized as indigenous. The debate is likely to intensify in the coming months, with concerns about identity, inclusion, and representation at its core.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipur-activists-oppose-delimitation-demand-nrc-first.html
Category : Manipur,National,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-03-18 16:06:00
