Imphal, Jan. 14: An apex organisation of tribal students in Manipur today said the state’s exemption from delimitation was “wrong”.

The All Tribal Students Union, Manipur, hinted that it would launch an agitation if the process of redrawing the boundaries of Assembly and parliamentary constituencies was not carried out in the state with the rest of the country.

“We cannot wait till 2026. The Delimitation Commission should complete its report. The government should also implement it,” Joseph R. Hmar, the spokesperson for the union, said.

The Union cabinet had decided on status quo in Manipur and four other states till 2026 after political parties and governments in the states objected to the exercise, claiming that the 2001 census report was incorrect.

Hmar said the objection was based on the apprehension that the valley would lose some seats. He said the exemption denied the tribals their rights and the students’ union would not remain silent.

“If the commission has problems regarding delimitation in the whole of Manipur, it should at least complete the exercise for the five hill districts. We will wait till the submission of the commission’s report and decide on our course of action after seeing it,” he added.

The union had submitted a memorandum to the Delimitation Commission on January 10, urging it to “go ahead” and “complete” the exercise.

The union will discuss the issue at its general assembly to be held in Tamenglong district on Friday.

It will also discuss the shortage of nearly 600 teachers in the hill schools.

The union plans to close down some of the government schools that lack students and bring the teachers to schools having more students.

The Friday meeting will chalk out the course of action, which will be implemented by March.