A “one-day discourse on inaccurate census data and demographic imbalance in Manipur” held in Imphal on Sunday resolved to oppose delimitation exercise based on ‘incorrect’ 2001 and 2011 census data”.
The discourse further resolved to press the Manipur government to constitute a state population commission so as to prevent ‘repetition of flaws’ in the census operation in future.
The one-day discourse held at the auditorium of the Government Dance College in Imphal’s Palace Compound under the aegis of the five CSOs- ACOAM-Lup, HERICOUN, LIPUL, UPF and UNACSU.
The discourse was moderated by retired Manipur University, Prof W Nabakumar and Head of Bio-statistic department of RIMS, Prof RK Narendra, editor of Imphal Review of Arts and Politics Pradip Phanjoubam and senior advocate Irom Lalit participated as resource persons.
After a thorough deliberation and discussion on the presentations made by the resource persons, the discourse observed that there were ‘proofs’ that census data of 2001 and 2011 were ‘incorrect’ and as such to oppose the proposed delimitation exercise based on these data.
Speaking on the occasion, HERICOUN president, Longjam Ratan said that the discourse was organised by the five civil society organisations as no response came forth from the Centre to a memorandum submitted by the organisations requesting not to conduct delimitation exercise in the state based on the ‘incorrect’ census data. He said that various organisations of the state have been protesting against the proposed delimitation exercise based on the ‘erratic’ census data.