Delimitation could fuel fresh unrest in Manipur: Parties

Imphal: Fifteen political parties in Manipur have demanded an immediate halt to the delimitation exercise in the state, cautioning that flawed census data could ignite fresh tensions in the already fragile state.

In a rare display of political unity, the leaders of the political parties submitted a joint memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday, who assured them of communicating their concerns to the central govt.

The delegation, led by former deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar, president of NPP's Manipur unit, stressed that delimitation based on the 2001 census would distort political representation and deepen divisions among the people.

The delegation reportedly made it clear that any delimitation exercise without credible and current data could destabilize the region.

The delegation also urged the governor to deferment the process until a new national census, expected no earlier than 2026, can provide an accurate demographic picture. The demand stems from stark discrepancies flagged in the 2001 census with some hill subdivisions reporting population surges as high as 169% over a decade, Joykumar said.

In contrast, most valley districts reflected more modest growth rates of around 18%, he added.

Political party leaders fear that continuing with the process under such skewed figures could result in the loss of multiple assembly seats for some districts, triggering political unrest.

The joint memorandum cautioned that delimitation under current conditions risks "rekindling ethnic sensitivities," particularly in light of the protracted ethnic violence that erupted in the state from May 3, 2023. The parties argued that the fragile socio-political landscape is not conducive to a high-stakes redrawing of electoral boundaries.

The delegation comprised representatives from a wide spectrum of political parties including NPP, Janata Dal (United), CPI (M), Aam Aadmi Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Republican Party of India (Athawale), Shiv Sena (both factions), All India Trinamool Congress, All India Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Manipur People's Party.

Their joint statement highlighted abnormal population growth patterns, such as 82% in Senapati, 73% in Chandel, and nearly 29% in Tamenglong, Ukhrul, and Churachandpur, compared to modest increases in Imphal and Bishnupur districts. The memorandum cautioned that such "distortions" could not only skew representation but also "compromise national security and public order.

"This growing chorus of opposition comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's directive, which gave the Centre three months to proceed with delimitation in Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The governor Bhalla acknowledged the gravity of the concerns and told the delegation that the memorandum would be forwarded to the Union govt for urgent consideration.