Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam told the state Assembly on Monday that 1951 will serve as the base year for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur. The state government will pursue the issue with the Centre based on resolutions passed by the Assembly. Meanwhile, officials are trying to trace the original physical records of the 1951 NRC. The minister also said the state cannot implement the NRC without approval from the Government of India. He further informed the House that authorities have detected 24,475 illegal immigrants in Manipur so far.
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Key Facts
- State: Manipur
- NRC base year: 1951
- Home Minister: Govindas Konthoujam
- Illegal immigrants detected: 24,475
- Pushed back: 14,992
- Kamjong: 6,545 detected; 5,378 pushed back
- Tengnoupal: 3,560 detected; 14 pushed back
- Chandel: 14,370 detected; 9,600 pushed back
- 1951 NRC records: Government is attempting to trace the original documents
- Final NRC implementation: Requires approval from the Centre
1951 to Remain the Base Year for Manipur NRC
Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam made the announcement while responding to a question from Opposition MLA K. Meghachandra Singh regarding the updating of the NRC and the original physical records from 1951.
Konthoujam said the state government has started efforts to locate the original 1951 NRC records. However, he clarified that Manipur cannot carry out the NRC exercise independently and will need approval from the Government of India.
The minister also highlighted the importance of proceeding carefully. He referred to Assam’s NRC experience, where the exercise has faced continued legal challenges and the final list has not entered the public domain.
“We need to cautiously move the Centre so that it does not fail like that of Assam,” Konthoujam said.
Manipur State Population Commission Already Constituted
The Home Minister said the Manipur State Population Commission was constituted in accordance with a resolution passed by the Assembly on August 5, 2022.
He added that the state government has continued to pursue the NRC issue with the Centre. The Assembly reaffirmed its earlier decision through another resolution on March 1, 2024.
Moreover, the Assembly unanimously reaffirmed its previous resolutions on September 2, 2026.
24,475 Illegal Immigrants Detected
Responding to another question from Opposition MLA Th. Lokeshwar Singh, Konthoujam said authorities have detected 24,475 illegal immigrants in Manipur.
The highest number came from Chandel, where authorities detected 14,370 people. Kamjong reported 6,545 detections, while Tengnoupal recorded 3,560.
According to the minister, authorities have so far pushed back 14,992 people through diplomatic channels. Others remain under government supervision or in temporary shelters.
District-Wise Pushback Details
In Kamjong, authorities detected 6,545 illegal immigrants and pushed back 5,378. The remaining 1,167 are staying in government-run camps and community halls.
In Tengnoupal, officials detected 3,560 people but pushed back only 14. The remaining 3,546 are under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner after authorities recorded their biometric details.
Meanwhile, Chandel recorded 14,370 detections. Authorities pushed back 9,600 people to Myanmar, while 4,770 remain in the area. Officials have collected biometric details from 1,308 of those remaining.
Government Committees Working on Verification
The state government formed a 12-member committee on August 7, 2024, headed by former minister Awangbow Newmai. The committee received responsibility for detecting and identifying illegal immigration and examining the unnatural growth of new villages.
Earlier, the government had also formed a Cabinet Sub-Committee on February 16, 2023, under former Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip.
In addition, the State Home Department constituted an Executive Committee on March 24, 2023, headed by Commissioner S. Chourasia. The committee included senior police and district officials and assisted with the verification process.
However, the verification drive could not continue after the outbreak of the Manipur crisis on May 3, 2023.
Temporary Shelters and Segregation
Authorities are currently housing several detected immigrants in temporary shelters across the affected districts.
In Kamjong, 1,167 people are staying at locations including Namli, Wanglee, Kaka, Zoro, Iko, Skipi, Huimin Thana and Phaikoh.
In Tengnoupal, 3,546 people remain in areas around Sadang village along the Indo-Myanmar border. In Chandel, 4,770 people are staying in Molcham, Gamphajol, Khangtung, L. Nampao, Yaingol, Bongjang, Kheljang, New Lajang and nearby villages.
The government has also instructed Deputy Commissioners to keep the detected illegal immigrants separate from local Indian communities.
Q&A
What will be the base year for the Manipur NRC?
The state government has identified 1951 as the base year.
How many illegal immigrants have been detected?
Authorities have detected 24,475 illegal immigrants across Manipur.
How many have been pushed back?
The Home Minister said 14,992 have been pushed back so far.
Can Manipur implement the NRC independently?
No. The state government requires approval from the Government of India.
Why is the NRC issue being pursued carefully?
The government wants to avoid difficulties experienced during the NRC exercise in Assam.
Location Context
Manipur shares a long international border with Myanmar, making border management, population verification and migration important security and administrative issues for the state and the wider Northeast region.
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