Imphal, Sept. 3 -- The Manipur Assembly on Wednesday reaffirmed its earlier resolutions urging the Centre to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state before conducting the census, even as two Kuki-Zo legislators attended the session in person for the first time since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. The resolution, moved by Leader of the House and chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, reaffirmed previous resolutions passed on August 5, 2022 and March 1, 2024, and urged the Centre to update the NRC "before conducting Census in the interest of the State in particular and the Nation in general". Khemchand informed the House that the 2022 resolution was followed by a letter to the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) in 2023. "The same was reaffirmed in the 2024 session of the assembly, and the resolution was sent to the MHA. Following the President's Rule and installation of the new government, a two-day seminar was conducted by the state Home Department this August in which it was resolved that NRC would be conducted before the Census," he said. The Centre had on Monday deferred the census exercise in Manipur. The demand for updating the NRC has stemmed from concerns among the Meitei and Naga communities over alleged illegal immigration from neighbouring Myanmar and its possible impact on the state's demography. The resolution came on the same day that two Kuki-Zo MLAs, Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing of the Kuki Peoples' Alliance (KPA) and Independent legislator Haokholet Kipgen of Saitu, attended the Assembly in Imphal in person for the first time since ethnic strife erupted in the state over three years ago. Both are from Kangpokpi district. Deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen, also from the Kuki-Zo community, attended virtually. As he entered the Assembly, Kipgen said, "I am happy to come back to attend Assembly after a long time." Chief minister Khemchand Singh described the participation as a "positive step toward fostering unity and peace". "This is a good sign from people's representatives, and it is a welcome step," he said. "With collective efforts, Manipur can strive to walk the path to peace." The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex Kuki body, had directed Kuki-Zo legislators not to travel to Imphal for the session pending a political settlement on their demand for a separate administration....