Imphal, Aug. 23 -- The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), a Kuki-Zo apex body in Manipur, has opposed demands by some Meitei and Naga groups for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census, calling the demand "premature and unjustified".

In a statement issued on Sunday, the KZC said the NRC was a national exercise under the authority of the central government and that there was no basis for any Manipur-based group or the state government to dictate its timing or implementation.

"Given the falsehoods and propaganda surrounding our population and demographic status during the Manipur conflict, an impartial Census is essential to establish facts and dispel unfounded claims," the statement signed by its secretary, Inform...