JFD Convenor Interrogated by Police Amid NRC Demands
Police Inquiry into JFD's General Strike
JFD convenor Jeetendra Ningombam (AT Image)
Imphal, August 21: Jeetendra Ningombam, the Convenor of Just Fair Delimitation (JFD), reported to the Porompat Police in Imphal East on Friday. This was in relation to a suo motu FIR linked to a 48-hour general strike initiated by the organization, advocating for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) prior to the Census.
The FIR, filed at Porompat Police Station, indicated that authorities were alerted via social media around 8:30 PM on August 17 regarding the planned strike from midnight August 17 to midnight August 19.
According to the FIR, the JFD's strike was a protest against the State Government's decision to conduct the 2026 Census without first completing the NRC process, as well as against the ongoing training for Census enumerators.
It was noted that the strike could potentially disrupt daily life, affecting students and government operations.
In response, Porompat Police registered FIR No. 240(08)2026 PRT-PS under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, on August 17 at 9:40 PM, with the incident occurring within the jurisdiction of Porompat Police Station.
The FIR identified Sub-Inspector Laishram Premjit Singh as the informant, while Sub-Inspector Md. Riyajuddin was tasked with the investigation. Notably, the FIR referred to the accused as 'Member of JFD' without specifically naming Ningombam.
After the FIR was filed, the Officer-in-Charge of Porompat Police issued a notice under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), instructing Ningombam to report to the police station at 10:30 AM on August 21 for questioning regarding FIR No. 240(08)2026 PRT-PS. The notice, dated August 20, recognized Ningombam as the JFD Convenor.
Ningombam complied with the police summons on Friday.
In a phone conversation, Ningombam mentioned that the Officer-in-Charge requested his assistance in mitigating violence amid the current tensions.
He stated that the police officer urged him to cooperate to prevent any further escalation of the situation.
After his appearance at Porompat Police, Ningombam received another notice from Imphal West Police, asking him to report around 5 PM on the same day.
This police action followed visits to his home and that of another JFD member, Sunil Karam, by police teams the previous day.
The FIR indicates that the case was forwarded to the court on August 17.
This incident unfolds as the JFD intensifies its protests, demanding the completion of the NRC before the Census. The organization previously announced a new phase of protests starting Thursday, which includes a boycott of State and Central government offices, while essential services like health, education, electricity, and water supply remain unaffected.