Manipur: Police use tear gas to disperse protesters as ‘No NRC, No Census’ rally turns violent in Kakching

A torch rally protesting the proposed census exercise and demanding implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before any census-related process was dispersed by police after tensions escalated in Kakching district of Manipur on Sunday, August 30 night.

A large number of protesters took part in the rally, raising slogans including “No NRC, No Census” and demanding that no census be conducted before the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The protesters began their march from the Wabagai-Hiyanglam Lamkhai Keithel area and attempted to proceed towards the Kakching district headquarters.

Police intercepted the protesters at the Keirak Dam area as the rally moved towards the district headquarters. The situation subsequently turned tense and violence broke out, following which police fired several tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

At least seven protesters, including four women, were detained by police during the incident. They were later released, according to reports.

The rally was organised as part of a series of agitations being conducted under the banner of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation. The group has been holding night torch rallies at different locations across Manipur in recent days as part of its campaign.

The organisation has also announced further programmes of agitation over its demand that the Census be deferred until the NRC is implemented. It has warned of a general strike from midnight on August 31 if the Government of India does not issue an official statement regarding the deferment of the Census.

The campaign has also announced plans for a march on the final day of the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly session as part of its continuing agitation.

The protests come amid ongoing concerns in Manipur over the identification and settlement of displaced people, demographic changes and the delimitation process. The protesters have been demanding that the government address these issues before undertaking the census exercise.