New Delhi: Amid ethnic violence and widespread displacement, the Manipur High Court has stayed the 2027 Census process in the state until April 30, 2027. The bench, headed by Chief Justice M. Sundar, issued the order directing the central government and the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to consider all objections and applications raised before the census and deliver a final decision by April 30, 2027.
Demographic change and demand for NRC update
The court delivered its verdict while hearing petitions filed by the Kinlipak Students Association (KSA), International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) and others, which raised serious concerns about displacement and demographic changes in the state due to the violence. Thousands of homes have been destroyed due to the violence, people have been forced to flee their native villages and live in relief camps, and many roads are blocked. Under such circumstances, conducting a proper and accurate census is impossible.
The petitions allege that several unauthorised villages have sprung up in the hilly areas after the violence, and that the population balance has been disturbed by the influx of outsiders and Bangladeshi migrants. The petitioners have demanded that before conducting the census, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state be updated, the correct population be re-assessed accurately and only then the delimitation process be taken forward.
Legal deadline of April 30, 2027
According to the guidelines issued by the High Court, the petitioner or any other organisation or individual can file their additional objections and applications before the Census Commissioner by November 25, 2026. The Registrar General will issue a detailed order by April 30, 2027 after public hearing or public consultation. Even after the order of the Central Government and the Registrar General, the census process will remain suspended for the next 4 weeks, so that if any party is dissatisfied with the decision, it can approach the court again.
The issues of demographics and displacement remain highly sensitive in Manipur following the ongoing violent conflict since May 2023. Following the High Court’s intervention, the central government will now have to clarify the ground realities in Manipur, the refugee situation, and disputed claims before commencing the 2027 census.
