Implement NRC, give us constitutional protection: Meitei body urges centre

The World Meitei Council held a protest march at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and demanded the urgent intervention of the Central government in Manipur for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the border state, council spokesperson Nabakishore Singha Yumnam told ET.

He said Meiteis need constitutional protection for their survival which they have been demanding for the past 11 years.

“Constitutional protection can only allow them to survive against the rapid changing demography caused by the influx of illegal migrants from Myanmar,” Yumnam said. Pitching for NRC, he said the entry of “illegal migrants need to be identified which is the need of the hour. This will help safeguard the indigenous community in Manipur.”

A series of clashes broke out between the Meiteis and Kukis that have claimed 70 lives so far. It started after a protest march was organised by the All-Tribal Students Union of Manipur to oppose the demand of the Meiteis to be included in the Scheduled Tribe category. The unrest started after Manipur high court’s order in March this year directed the state government to submit the requisite documents for inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list.