Tue Apr 01 19:17:59 UTC 2025: ## Manipur’s Meitei Community Urges NRC Before Delimitation Amidst Ongoing Violence

**Imphal, Manipur –** The Meitei Alliance, a prominent organization representing Manipur’s Meitei community, has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement a National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before proceeding with the state’s delimitation exercise. This request comes amidst ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities and a Supreme Court mandate for the completion of delimitation within three months.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Meitei Alliance argues that an NRC is crucial to safeguarding genuine citizens and ensuring stability and communal harmony before redrawing electoral boundaries. They claim that the delimitation process, if undertaken without addressing concerns about illegal immigration, risks derailing ongoing peace efforts.

The Alliance cites historical documents, including a 1973 letter from a Member of Parliament acknowledging the presence of Kuki refugees from Myanmar, to support its claims of long-standing illegal immigration. They allege that many illegal immigrants have been granted citizenship and Scheduled Tribes benefits, violating constitutional provisions and fueling further immigration.

The organization contends that the violence plaguing Manipur is not coincidental but rather fueled by vested interests exploiting the instability to advance unconstitutional demands. They specifically point to the actions of Kuki militant groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements, accusing them of violating the agreements and perpetuating violence.

This call for an NRC comes as the Meitei and Kuki communities remain locked in conflict over land rights, political representation, and the Kukis’ demand for a separate administration. Over 260 people have died, and nearly 50,000 have been internally displaced since the violence began in May 2023. Both sides have traded accusations of attacking villages, with Kuki leaders citing the conflict as justification for their demands. The Meitei Alliance, however, refutes this, citing long-standing historical evidence of Kuki calls for a separate administration. The situation underscores the complex and deeply rooted nature of the conflict.

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