Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Manipur government has told the Centre that it is willing to carry out the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise within the constitutional and legal framework, state Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said on Friday. He was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day consultative meeting-cum-seminar on the demographic profile of Manipur.
At the same event, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said repeated bandhs, blockades and agitations had hurt the state’s economy and caused hardship to people, especially daily wage earners. He said the government was ready to support any step that benefits the people and hoped the seminar would lead to constructive recommendations within the provisions of the Constitution.
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Konthoujam said the state had informed the Union government of its stand on the issue. “The Manipur government has conveyed to the central government its wish for conducting the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise within the constitutional and legal framework,” he said.
He also said the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier set up a high-level committee to examine issues related to demographic changes in the country.
Calling for a united approach, the home minister said, “We may have many political and other differences, but when it comes to the public and their interests, all should come together for the state and the people. We should join hands to resolve all the issues.”
Addressing the seminar, Singh said, “Manipur is tired. Bandhs, blockades and different types of agitations have affected the economy of the state. Such agitations hurt daily wage earners the most.”
He said the ongoing blockade had also created serious difficulties for truck drivers stranded on national highways while transporting essential commodities to the state.
The chief minister said the government was always ready to support any step that benefits the people and expressed confidence that the two-day deliberations would produce constructive recommendations.
He stressed that all recommendations should remain within the provisions of the Constitution. Later, in a social media post, Singh said, “Protecting Manipur’s identity, land, culture and the interests of our people remains a priority of our government.”
In sum, the seminar focused on demographic issues, the state’s position on the NRC, and the need for constitutionally valid recommendations while addressing the wider impact of unrest on Manipur.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
