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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stated that his government is prepared to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, subject to approval from the Centre.
During a press conference in Imphal on Friday, Singh explained that the introduction of the NRC requires the Centre’s approval, and cannot be initiated by the state government alone.
He added that the state government has established the Manipur State Population Commission (MSPC), which will identify immigrants in the state.
Singh informed that the MSPC, which has already appointed members, will start a house-to-house survey to identify illegal immigrants who have settled in the state.
Earlier this week, thousands of women from three all-women-run markets, along with members of six student bodies, rallied towards the chief minister’s secretariat in Imphal demanding the implementation of NRC in Manipur.
Various civil society organisations, particularly student bodies, have been demanding the implementation of NRC in the state due to the unchecked surge in the population of illegal immigrants.
In furthering the demand, six student bodies – AMSU, MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK and AIM – held a demonstration in Imphal’s Khwairamband Keithel, the business hub in the heart of the capital city.
The rally started from Khwairamband Keithel and proceeded towards the Chief Minister’s bungalow with participants carrying banners that demanded the implementation of NRC in the state.