Imphal, April 4 -- Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Okram Ibobi Singh on Saturday urged the Centre to postpone the upcoming Census exercise in Manipur until full normalcy is restored, citing concerns over data accuracy and logistical challenges amid the ongoing crisis.

Warning that flawed data could adversely affect development planning and governance, Ibobi, who is also the former chief minister of Manipur, said the census is a crucial national exercise and must produce reliable and accurate statistical data.

Referring to past census operations, he said that the 2001 Census, conducted during the tenure of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, had continued to influence policy decisions up to...