Retired head of Department of Biostatistics RIMS RK Narendra on Saturday stressed the need to thoroughly discuss and objectively finalise the base cut off year for National Register of Citizens (NRC) updation in Manipur.
“This is vital as the entire updation requires people to produce legacy documents based on the cut off year or other contemporary documents which connect the individual to that timeline,” he said.
The list of admissible documents includes documents which proves the residence of the ancestors and is issued before the cut off year. It includes electoral rolls, land tenancy records, citizenship certificate, birth certificate, etc.
If the name of the applicant is not on the documents submitted then he/she has to add supporting documents which establishes a relationship with the said ancestors. It includes, include birth certificate, land document, board/university certificate, electoral roll or any other legally acceptable documents.
Delivering a lecture during the consultative discussion on ‘Understanding the NRC - What it means for Manipur’ organised by Taragi Cheishu at Hotel Imphal.
Narendra further emphasised the need to properly mark the NRC cut-off year based on the availability of proper admissible legacy documents.
He noted that the 1951 NRC record for Manipur was unavailable due to unknown circumstances.
As such he appealed to people to trace the whereabouts of the records by filing appropriate complaints and RTI to competent authorities concerned.
“We have no clue whether the exercise took place for Manipur therefore we need to find out if at all, the NRC took place,” he said.
He further highlighted the various processes and necessary steps required for NRC while presenting the shift in demography of Manipur from 1951 to present.
He pointed out how the demography had drastically changed among the ethnicities over the decades and maintained that this shift was gravely concerning.
The majority is slowly becoming outnumbered due to various factors among which is the influx of illegal foreigners, he added.
Stressing the need for NRC to usher demographic balance in Manipur, he stated that conflicts and crisis similar to May 3 violence will continue if the problem was not rectified timely.
“NRC is not the only solution to the state’s present issue but the exercise is the vital need of the hour,” he said.
He further emphasised the need for a strong population policy in Manipur to coincide with the NRC updation and tackle the issue of foreigners in Manipur.
Meanwhile, Senior journalist Pradip Phanjoubam pointed out the need for the government to exert control over land and land ownership.
“Every piece of land ultimately belongs to the state as such a methodical approach to reclaim land ownership including forest areas is the need of the hour,” he said.
He also highlighted the crucial role of identity and its influence in politics and conflict.
Guwahati High Court advocate Santanu Borthakur and senior journalist Rajeev Bhattacharyya also took part in the discussion with retired IAS RK Nimai as the moderator.
