The Kuki-Zo Council, a representative body for the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur, has voiced its formal opposition to the implementation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) within the state. The organization contends that the push for an NRC at this time is premature and should not be prioritized ahead of a formal census process.

The debate over the NRC in Manipur is deeply tied to ongoing regional tensions and concerns regarding demographic shifts and residency documentation. Proponents of the NRC in the region often argue that it is a necessary tool to identify illegal immigrants and protect the rights of indigenous populations. Conversely, groups like the Kuki-Zo Council have expressed concerns that such exercises could be used to marginalize specific ethnic communities or exacerbate existing communal fractures.

While the Hindustan Times report focuses on the Council's stance, it does not detail the specific government response or the counter-arguments from groups advocating for the NRC. The current impasse highlights the broader difficulty in managing identity documentation in a region experiencing significant ethnic conflict. As of now, the Kuki-Zo Council maintains that any discussion regarding a registry of citizens must wait until a comprehensive census is conducted to establish a baseline for the population. The state government has not yet issued a formal statement regarding how it intends to reconcile these conflicting demands as it navigates the sensitive political climate in Manipur.