Manipur's NRC Demands Intensify Amid Ongoing Protests
Protests Erupt Over NRC Implementation
Protesters burn effigies of the CM and Home Minister at Khurai Lamlong on Wednesday. (Photo)
Imphal, Aug 19: As calls for the National Register of Citizens (NRC) implementation grow louder ahead of the Census, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh reaffirmed his administration's support for the initiative on Wednesday.
During a meeting with artists at the Chief Minister's residence, Singh noted, “The state Assembly passed a resolution regarding this matter in 2022.”
He emphasized the need to restore trust among the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities, stating that it is “unethical” to hold an entire community accountable for the actions of a few. He urged for a renewed sense of unity.
“What began as a conflict between two communities has now involved a third. I call upon the Meitei community to take on a leadership role and help resolve this crisis,” he added.
Singh highlighted that rebuilding trust necessitates dismantling the divisions that have arisen during the conflict, citing Jiribam as a model where diverse communities coexist peacefully.
In a related development, the Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTCM) called on both the central and state governments to implement the NRC in Manipur, using 1951 as the reference year to identify legitimate citizens and address illegal immigration.
The JTCM also requested that the Census and Delimitation processes be postponed until the NRC is finalized, expressing concerns about the ongoing influx of migrants and its potential impact on the state's demographic landscape, which could affect the identity, land, resources, and political rights of indigenous populations.
Furthermore, the council demanded that villages recognized without meeting legal criteria be de-recognized, warning of protests, including strikes and rallies, if the government proceeds with the Census against public sentiment.
The United Naga Council (UNC) has echoed these sentiments, insisting that neither the Census nor the Delimitation should occur in Manipur until the NRC is implemented. The UNC and the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) submitted a joint memorandum to the Prime Minister via the Governor in May 2024, advocating for the NRC to precede any Census activities.
Strike Disrupts Daily Life on Second Day
On the second day of a 48-hour general strike organized by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) in support of the NRC, normal life in Manipur was significantly disrupted on Wednesday.
Markets were closed, and educational institutions across the valley districts remained shut, with reports of protests and clashes between security forces and strike participants in various locations.
At Khurai Lamlong Bazar in Imphal East, confrontations occurred between security personnel and demonstrators, leading to road blockades and chanting of slogans. A security convoy was reportedly forced to turn back due to protester obstruction, resulting in injuries to one individual during the clashes. Protesters also set fire to effigies of Chief Minister Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam.
The strike also impacted Thoubal district, where district administration staff were compelled to retreat from near the Deputy Commissioner’s office due to protests. In Porompat, demonstrators attempted to breach the Census office, prompting security forces to intervene.
Similar enforcement actions were noted in Nomeibung Ayangpali, Uripok, and Airport Lines, where protesters blocked roads and restricted vehicle movement. Government offices in Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur reported low attendance, while the strike had minimal effect in hill districts like Churachandpur.
The strike is set to conclude at midnight on August 19. The self-enumeration phase of Census 2027 in Manipur commenced on August 17 and will run until August 31, with the house-listing and housing census scheduled from September 1 to 30.
This latest wave of protests follows a torch rally in Imphal advocating for the NRC's implementation prior to the Census. On Tuesday, a government spokesperson announced that a group of legislators would travel to New Delhi to present the demand to central leaders. Reports also indicated that NDA MLAs were planning a meeting in Delhi regarding this issue.