Songpi: The Kuki People’s Alliance, KPA, a political party recognised by the Election Commission of India, has taken note of the strong and repeated demand for implementation of National Register of Citizens, NRC, by valley-based CSOs and the resolutions passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
In a press release issued on 31st August, 2026, bearing Ref No. KPA/NRC/PR/2026/02, and signed by Sominthang Doungel, General Secretary, Kuki People’s Alliance, the party clarified its position on the issue.
Firstly, the KPA stated that it has no objection to the exercise of NRC in principle, as it is a national exercise aimed at identification of citizens.
Secondly, the party cautioned that NRC cannot be made conditional to the Census exercise. The Census is a constitutional and statutory requirement, it said. Any attempt to subject it to a pre-requisite conditionality such as NRC will be ultra-vires the provisions of the Constitution and therefore legally redundant.
Thirdly, the KPA said the legal procedure must be strictly maintained. Due process under the Citizenship Act, 1955, Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, and the Constitution of India must be followed in letter and spirit. No shortcuts or state-specific arbitrary cut-off dates like 1951/1961 should be invented, it stated.
Most importantly, the party said, in view of the present situation in Manipur and the complete breakdown of trust, any exercise such as NRC must be conducted solely by the Government of India through the Registrar General of India. The State Government of Manipur and its agencies cannot have any role whatsoever in the exercise.
The KPA stated that there is now an absolute trust-deficit between the hill people and the valley people, and any exercise involving the state government will be seen as biased and will not be acceptable.
The party concluded that it stands for a legal, transparent and centrally-conducted exercise whether it be NRC or Census.
