Imphal: At least six people were reportedly injured after police fired tear gas to disperse protesters during a demonstration at the iconic Ima Keithel in Imphal on Wednesday.
A large crowd, including women vendors from Ima Keithel and members of various student organisations, gathered to demand the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the state proceeds with its upcoming Census exercise. The Census is scheduled to begin in April this year.
The protest was organised under the banner of the Campaign for Just & Fair Delimitation (JFD). Demonstrators clarified that they were not opposed to the Census itself but insisted that the government must first identify illegal immigrants who have entered the state from neighbouring countries, particularly Myanmar.
According to the protesters, the presence of undocumented immigrants has altered the state’s demographic composition and adversely affected indigenous communities and the local economy. They urged the government to implement the NRC or a similar mechanism to safeguard the interests of indigenous people before conducting the Census.
Tensions escalated when protesters attempted to march towards the ongoing Assembly session and were stopped by heavy security deployment in the area. A scuffle broke out after protesters tried to cross police barricades, prompting security personnel to fire three rounds of smoke bombs to disperse the crowd.
Eyewitnesses said at least six to seven people sustained minor injuries during the clash and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
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