Manipur NRC protest turns tense in Imphal, security forces use tear gas to disperse crowd

A protest rally demanding action on a set of demands raised by the Campaign for Just and Fair (JFD) turned tense in Imphal on Sunday, September 27 with security forces using tear gas to disperse protesters, who said they would continue their agitation until they receive an assurance from the government.

The rally began at the Citizen Club in Wangkhei Khunou Soibam Leikai and proceeded towards Konung Mamang Traffic Point. The protesters raised several demands, including that Census activities should not be conducted until the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is implemented, that Census work should be deferred until internally displaced persons (IDPs) are rehabilitated in their respective homes, and that 1951 be adopted as the base year for the NRC.

The protesters had sought a response from the chief minister on the demands raised by the JFD. However, after they were reportedly denied an appointment with the chief minister, the protesters remained at the site and continued their agitation.

Security forces subsequently used tear gas to disperse the gathering. Some protesters were reportedly injured in the ensuing action.

A protester criticised the government for not providing a written assurance on conducting the NRC with 1951 as the base year.

The protester said the state government had already deferred the Census through a gazette notification, but had not issued any formal decision on updating the NRC using 1951 as the base year.

The protester also referred to the state government's decision to reiterate its request to the Centre for updating the NRC, and said that more than a month after the reiteration, there had been no official communication from the central government on the issue.

The protesters said the agitation would continue until their demand for updating the NRC with 1951 as the base year is translated into action.