Imphal, Apr 7: The delimitation exercise in Manipur has brought all political parties together in opposition following a Supreme Court directive mandating its completion within the next three months.

Most political parties in Manipur are unhappy with the Supreme Court’s decision, as the delimitation exercise will be based on the 2001 Census. This has led almost all parties to unite in boycotting the process.

In 2008, a nationwide delimitation exercise was conducted based on the 2001 Census. However, it was not implemented in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Jammu & Kashmir.

There are concerns that delimitation based on the 2001 Census could intensify existing demographic anxieties, which are already heightened due to recent ethnic tensions in Manipur.

Many political leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing that the 2001 Census was flawed and contained numerous inaccuracies.

A delimitation exercise based on this disputed census could further escalate ethnic tensions, particularly as communities in the state remain on edge following the strife that began in May 2023.

Meanwhile, the Congress party in Manipur has called for rectification of the 2001 Census data before any redrawing of electoral boundaries.

“The issue of errors in the 2001 Census arose after an unproportionate growth rate was detected in nine sub-divisions across three districts in the state. In some subdivisions, the growth rate exceeded 100%,” said Congress spokesperson Hareshwar Goswami.

He added, “While the Congress supports delimitation, it must be based on an accurate census. There is no denying that the 2001 Census had many irregularities.”

“People, civil society groups, and political parties in Manipur are not opposed to delimitation itself. What they are demanding is that it be conducted based on an authentic and credible census,” he said.

Currently, Manipur has 60 Assembly seats, with 40 in the Meitei-majority valley region and 20 in the Naga- and Kuki-Zomi-majority hill districts. Except for the Kangpokpi constituency, all hill constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Tribes. The Assembly presently comprises 10 Naga MLAs and 10 from the Kuki-Zomi communities.

At a recent all-party meeting in Manipur, political leaders strongly opposed the Supreme Court’s directive on delimitation.

The meeting was attended by representatives from AAP, BSP, CPI-M, NPP, CPI, JDU, NPF, RPI-A, AITC, NCP, NCP-SP, RSP, Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena UBT, and the Manipur People’s Party.

“We do not support the delimitation exercise because it is based on the flawed 2001 Census. The state has already witnessed ethnic violence between two communities, and now this process is further aggravating tensions. We urge the government to withdraw it,” said a Manipur resident.

Read: Tripura: Jitendra Choudhury replaces ex-CM Manik Sarkar in CPI-M politburo

WATCH:

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub

Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub