Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Aug 19: Normal life remained disrupted across several valley districts of Manipur on Wednesday as a 48-hour shutdown called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), a Meitei organisation, entered its final day. The group is opposing the Census process until a National Register of Citizens (NRC) is implemented in the state.
The organisation has also announced a boycott of all government institutions from Thursday as part of its agitation. JFD secretary Longjam Ratankumar Singh said central and state government institutions would be boycotted, while essential services and educational institutions would remain exempt. He said mass sit-in protests would be held during the day, followed by torch rallies at night.
Meitei groups have been demanding an NRC to identify undocumented migrants who they allege settled in Manipur after 1951 from neighbouring countries. They argue that such migration threatens the interests of the state's indigenous population. Kuki organisations, however, have accused Meitei groups of attempting to portray members of their community as undocumented immigrants.
A government official said attendance remained low in several government offices. Markets, educational institutions and public transport were also affected in five valley districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal and Bishnupur.
The North Indigenous Women's Organisation, a tribal community group, also held a sit-in protest at Sekmai in Imphal West demanding implementation of the NRC.
Tensions were reported between protesters and security forces at several locations, including Lamlong market in Imphal East and Kwakeithel in Imphal West, where protesters blocked Tiddim Road.
Manipur government spokesperson Sapam Ranjan said on Tuesday that a team would travel to New Delhi to meet central leaders and seek postponement of the Census until an NRC is completed.
He said the Manipur Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution in August 2022 seeking an NRC before the Census, citing concerns over demographic changes. The Assembly reaffirmed the resolution in March 2024.
A training programme for Census personnel was disrupted in Bishnupur on August 14.
Former chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh said he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi over the NRC demand and received a “positive response”. He said he also discussed reconciliation and the NRC issue during his visit.
Singh said the Manipur government had submitted recommendations on the matter twice, in February 2023 and in 2024. He appealed to people to support the demand while stressing that the issue should be pursued through democratic and constitutional means to protect the interests of the state's indigenous population.
According to a government notification issued on March 22, the first phase of Census 2027, involving the house-listing operation, is scheduled to begin in Manipur on September 1 and continue for 30 days. A self-enumeration facility is also available for 15 days from August 17 to August 31.