Imphal: A large number of students from various secondary schools took to the streets in Imphal on Monday, demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census in Manipur.
Organised under the banner of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) student wing, the protest was held under the themes ‘NRC Updation Before Census’, ‘No NRC, No Census’ and ‘No IDP Settlement, No Census’. Students marched from Tiddim Ground towards Keishampat before gathering at the ground for a public assembly.
The students demanded that the government halt preparations for the Census exercise until the NRC is implemented in the state.
The JFD student wing also attempted to stop ongoing Census training sessions at DM Teacher Training College and Hindi Teachers Training College.
A clash reportedly broke out when security forces attempted to disperse the protesters, injuring two students. They were rushed to Raj Medicity for treatment.
A sit-in protest was also held at Ima Keithel, with hundreds of women vendors supporting the movement. Business establishments and shops at major markets, including Ima Keithel, remained closed in support of the protest.
According to Longjam Ratankumar, organising secretary of JFD, the issue of illegal immigration has persisted in Manipur for decades, with people repeatedly demanding measures to protect the state’s indigenous population.
Ratankumar said JFD was formed in 2025 as concerns over illegal immigration intensified, with the organisation demanding that the NRC be updated using 1951 as the base year.
He said a 16-point agreement was signed with the Manipur government in 1980 on issues concerning illegal immigration and was reaffirmed in 1994. However, he said no effective action had been taken to address the issue.
Meanwhile, at a press conference, JFD convenor Jitendra Ningombam announced a 48-hour general strike in the state in opposition to the conduct of the Census before implementing the NRC.
He said the general strike was imposed in protest against the government’s move to proceed with the Census without addressing the demand for an NRC.
Also Read: Who will speak Arunachal’s mother tongues when the elders are gone?