Manipur Government Closes Educational Institutions Amid Protests
Closure of Educational Institutions in Manipur
The clash between police and protestors continued until around midnight, with police resorting to tear gas and stun guns after protesters allegedly damaged public property.
Imphal, Aug 20: The Manipur Government has announced the closure of all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, from August 20 to 22 due to ongoing unrest related to the demand for the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise prior to the Census.
This directive was issued by the Education Department on August 19 under Order No. 1/18/2026-COMM(EDS), affecting all schools affiliated with various boards, including the Board of Secondary Education Manipur and the Central Board of Secondary Education, as well as colleges and universities, regardless of their funding status.
The decision followed a 48-hour general strike initiated by the Just Fair Delimitation (JFD) group, which was set to conclude on Wednesday night. Authorities expressed concerns about potential student involvement in future protests as the agitation escalates.
Prior to the strike, students from multiple educational institutions in Imphal participated in rallies advocating for the NRC demand. Notable participation was observed from students of TG Higher Secondary School, Johnstone Higher Secondary School, CC Higher Secondary School, and Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School.
During the two-day strike, educational facilities were closed. With the strike ending at midnight on Wednesday, the State Government decided to extend the closure for an additional three days as a precaution against further unrest.
The official closure order, issued in the name of the Governor, was signed by Ningthoujam Geoffrey, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary responsible for School Education and related sectors.
Escalating Tensions in Imphal
On Wednesday night, tensions rose in New Checkon, Imphal East, where clashes erupted between police and protesters amid the ongoing agitation.
The confrontations persisted until midnight, with law enforcement employing tear gas and stun guns in response to alleged damage to public property by protesters.
It is important to note that the individuals involved in these clashes were not students; rather, they were protesters and other disruptive elements amid the heightened tensions following the general strike.
The clashes coincided with the final hours of the JFD's strike, which aimed to advocate for the NRC's implementation before the Census.
The JFD has announced a new phase of protests starting Thursday, which includes a boycott of State and Central government offices, while essential services such as health and education will remain unaffected.
Additionally, the organization plans to hold mass sit-in protests and torch rallies throughout the State.
In response to these developments, security measures have been intensified in Imphal and surrounding areas, with security forces closely monitoring the situation for any further mobilization.
The Education Department has instructed relevant education authorities, Deputy Commissioners, and Zonal Education Officers to disseminate the closure order to all affected institutions, including registrars of local universities.