The Manipur government has decided to pursue 1951 as the base year for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam informed the Legislative Assembly on September 7.
Responding to a question from Opposition MLA K. Meghachandra Singh, the minister said the government would approach the Centre in accordance with resolutions passed by the Assembly. He also said officials are currently trying to trace the original physical records of the 1951 NRC.
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Konthoujam clarified that the state government cannot implement the NRC independently and requires approval from the Government of India. The Manipur State Population Commission, constituted following an Assembly resolution passed in 2022, is also expected to have a role in the process.
The Assembly has repeatedly supported the demand for an NRC in Manipur. The government reaffirmed its position through resolutions passed in March 2024 and again on September 2, 2026.
The Home Minister urged a cautious approach, referring to the difficulties surrounding the NRC exercise in Assam. He said Manipur should work carefully with the Centre to avoid similar problems.
The announcement comes amid continuing concerns over undocumented immigration from Myanmar. The minister separately informed the Assembly that authorities have detected 24,475 illegal immigrants, of whom 14,992 have been pushed back.