Imphal Valley Faces Disruption Amid 24-Hour General Strike

On September 1, Imphal Valley experienced significant disruptions due to a 24-hour general strike organized by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation. The strike aimed to delay the Census until the National Register of Citizens is implemented. Businesses closed, public transport was halted, and schools remained shut. The Centre's decision to postpone the Census followed a high-level meeting to assess the situation in Manipur. The High Court also mandated a deferral of the Census process. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged citizens to seek alternative protest methods instead of blockades.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 1, 2026, 12:35 IST

Imphal Valley's General Strike Causes Major Disruptions

A glimpse of Imphal town during the JFD strike on Tuesday morning

Imphal, Sept 1: Life in the five districts of Imphal Valley was significantly affected on Tuesday due to a 24-hour general strike initiated by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD). This strike persisted even after the Union government announced on Monday that it would postpone Census activities in Manipur.

The strike commenced at midnight on Monday, aiming to secure an official declaration to delay the Census until the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is put into effect in the region.

Shops and businesses were largely shuttered, with only a handful of private vehicles navigating the streets.

In Khwairamband Keithel, the primary commercial area of Imphal, a significant number of women supporters of the strike took to the streets, urging those outside to return home.

Public transport faced severe disruptions, with short-distance inter-city services, including e-rickshaws, as well as inter-district and inter-state transport remaining inactive since early morning, as reported from various districts.

Schools were closed, and government offices saw low attendance. Reports indicated no significant incidents had occurred by 11 am.

The decision by the Centre to postpone Census operations in Manipur followed a high-level review meeting led by Shah at the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi, aimed at evaluating the state's situation.

Attendees of the meeting included Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and other senior officials, as per the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

Additionally, the High Court of Manipur has mandated that the Census process in the state be deferred until further notice.

A special bench, consisting of Chief Justice M Sundar and Justice A Guneswar Sharma, issued this order while addressing a Public Interest Litigation from the Kangleipak Students' Association and a separate writ petition from Shanta Nahakpam, a leader of 14 civil society organizations based in the Valley.

The next session for the special bench is set for October 12, 2026.

Previously, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had urged all community members to avoid calling for bandhs or blockades to express their concerns, encouraging the use of other democratic protest methods.