Manipur: Protest turns violent amid heavy rain, woman police personnel and protester injured

A protest by women against census training at the Imphal East District Commissioner’s office turned violent on August 18 amid heavy rainfall, leaving a woman police personnel and a protester injured.

 

The protesters marched towards the Imphal East DC office, reportedly seeking to disrupt census training being conducted on the premises. Despite the heavy rain, the protesters remained outside the DC complex and raised slogans including “No NRC, No Census” and “No IDP Settlement, No Census.”

 

The situation escalated when the protesters allegedly attempted to enter the DC complex. Security forces deployed to control the situation used smoke or riot grenades to disperse the protesters. During the confrontation, a woman police personnel and a protester sustained injuries.

 

Speaking to the media, one of the protesters said the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation had called a 48-hour general strike from midnight on August 18, demanding updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

 

The protester questioned the decision to conduct census training at the Imphal East DC office during the general strike, describing it as unfortunate.

 

She said the protesters’ concerns were also shared by government employees involved in the census training and higher authorities. Despite the heavy rainfall, the protesters continued their agitation, stating that the issue concerned the future of the state.

 

The protesters also raised concerns over alleged illegal immigration and urged the government to acknowledge what they described as potential long-term consequences for the state.

 

The demonstration continued despite the adverse weather, with protesters questioning the government’s response to their demands and saying that they would not have to take to the streets in heavy rain and heat if the authorities were adequately addressing their concerns.