Manipur protests intensify over demand for NRC updation before Census

Protests demanding updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census were held at several locations across Manipur on August 17, as the government moved ahead with preparations for the Census exercise.

The demonstrations were organised under the aegis of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) with the themes ‘NRC Updation Before Census’, ‘No NRC, No Census’ and ‘No IDP Settlement, No Census’.

The student wing of the JFD attempted to stop Census training sessions at DM Teacher Training College and Hindi Teachers Training College. Security forces reportedly clashed with the protesters while trying to disperse them.

A sit-in protest was also held at Khwairamband Ima Market, where several shops remained closed as traders and others joined the demonstration. Protesters called for the NRC to be updated before the Census, citing concerns over the alleged presence of illegal immigrants in the state.

A large number of students also took out a rally carrying the same demand. The procession started from Tiddim Ground and turned back from Keishampat Junction.

During the rally, protesters also demanded the suspension of a police officer who they alleged used excessive force during a recent agitation at the Directorate of Census.

Speaking on the sidelines of the sit-in at Khwairamband Ima Market, JFD organising secretary Longjam Ratan said the issue of illegal immigration had persisted in Manipur for decades and that people had repeatedly demanded measures to protect the state's indigenous population.

He referred to a 16-point agreement signed with the Manipur government in 1980 on issues concerning illegal immigration, which was reaffirmed in 1994. According to Ratan, however, no effective action had been taken to address the issue.

Ratan said the 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 added that the organisation had submitted representations and memoranda to leaders of both the state and Central governments, but had not received a response. The JFD has since continued its protests and warned that the agitation would be intensified if the government continued to ignore its demands.