Imphal, August 25: The National People’s Party (NPP) has urged the central government to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Manipur before the 2027 Legislative Assembly elections, alleging that infiltration of illegal migrants has been one of the root causes of the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.

Addressing reporters at the party’s state office in Naoremthong, Imphal West, on Sunday, NPP national vice-president and former deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said the last Assembly election in Manipur was marred by “dual votership, bogus votes, and the involvement of illegal migrants.”

Joykumar informed that the NPP’s general body meeting, held earlier in the day, resolved to press the central government and the Election Commission of India to conduct and complete the SIR of electoral rolls before the upcoming Assembly polls.

On the roadmap for restoring peace, he emphasized the need for greater interaction between civil society groups of the warring communities, citing the recent dialogue between Thadou Inpi Manipur (umbrella body of the Kuki-Zo community) and Meitei organisations as a positive development.

Joykumar also outlined the NPP’s position in the event of a new government formation with its support. He suggested that such a government could be called the Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA), based on a common minimum programme, with a long-term roadmap for peace as its priority.

He further reiterated that the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh reflected the state government’s failure to maintain law and order.

The NPP, which holds seven seats in the 60-member Assembly, was earlier an ally of the BJP-led government in Manipur but withdrew its support in November last year, blaming the administration for its inability to resolve the ongoing crisis.