A press briefing held at Keishampat on Wednesday saw Shanta Nahakpam of the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), representing 14 civil society organisations of Kangleipak, present a detailed proposal advocating the simultaneous conduct of NRC 1951 updation and the Census of India 2027.

Addressing the media, Nahakpam stated that updating the National Register of Citizens alongside the Census is both feasible and administratively viable, adding that the processes can be carried out before, after, or in parallel without being mutually exclusive. Describing NRC updation as a “birth right” and Census 2027 as a “future destination,” she said synchronisation would serve the long-term interests of the state.

The proposal calls on the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue a formal notification for NRC 1951 updation in Manipur through the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, with publication in the Gazette of India. It also stresses early preparatory steps, including the appointment of a State Commissioner and formulation of detailed rules in consultation with central authorities.

IPSA further proposed that a new NRC 2027 database be prepared by incorporating 15 categories of data from the National Population Register (NPR) 2010 during Census enumeration, with linkage to NRC 1951 records. Individuals lacking legacy data or family tree verification may be categorised as “non-citizens of Manipur,” with action to follow under existing legal provisions, including the Foreigners Tribunal Act, 1946.

Another key recommendation is to withhold the final population data of Census 2027 until completion of NRC-related processes, including deportation or resettlement, while allowing provisional figures based on projections from the Office of the Registrar General of India. IPSA noted that despite procedural differences, the NRC updation and Census exercise can be effectively aligned through appropriate regulatory mechanisms.