JFD has called a two-day general strike across Manipur over its demand for NRC before Census 2027, as protests and attempts to disrupt Census training continue.
Imphal, August 17: The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has called a two-day general strike across Manipur from midnight on August 17, demanding that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be updated before the Census is conducted in the state.
The strike has received support from civil society organisations representing Naga, Meitei and Pangal communities, including the United Meitei-Pangal Committee Manipur, Chandel Naga People’s Organisation, Foothills Naga Coordination Committee and Native People’s Committee Manipur.
The development came as protests against the proposed Census continued across several districts on Monday, with student groups attempting to disrupt training programmes for enumerators and supervisors, while civil society organisations intensified their appeals to the state government and Governor for political intervention.
JFD has maintained that the Census should not be conducted until an NRC exercise is undertaken and internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the conflict are resettled in their respective homes.
Under the strike call, activities related to medical services, religious functions and the movement of essential commodities will be exempted.
JFD Convenor Jeetendra Ningomba, speaking to reporters at WAL Club in Wangkhei Angom Leikai, stated that repeated protests, including attempts to disrupt Census training centres, had failed to prompt the state government to postpone the exercise.
He said the decision to call the general strike followed discussions among civil society organisations from the hills and valley.
Jeetendra also appealed to people to oppose participation in Census-related training programmes in their respective localities.
Students rally in Imphal, attempt to disrupt Census training
A large number of students from private schools took out a rally along Tiddim Line on Monday afternoon. The rally began at around 12:30 pm from Tiddim Ground and proceeded towards Keisampat traffic point before returning.
Students raised slogans opposing the Census without an NRC and called for the resettlement of IDPs before the exercise. They also raised slogans demanding the suspension of DSP Diraj.
Police and Central forces maintained security along the route to prevent any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, JFD Students’ Wing volunteers attempted to disrupt training for Census supervisors and enumerators at DM College of Teacher Education under DM University.
The protesters encountered security personnel deployed at the venue, resulting in a confrontation. The students attempted to stop the training but were unable to prevent it from proceeding.
JFD Students’ Wing volunteer Kharibam Reshma stated that the organisation had repeatedly opposed the conduct of Census-related training before an NRC exercise. She criticised the deployment of security forces at training centres and described the police response to the student agitation as excessive.
CSOs seek political intervention from Governor
Earlier on Monday, 14 civil society organisations from Kangleipak, along with representatives of the Kom Union, Kabui Union, Rongmei community, Meitei Pangal, Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Lipun, met Governor of Manipur to seek political intervention on the NRC demand.
According to 14 CSOs Convenor Nahakpam Shanta, the delegation urged the Governor to explore political options during the 15-day period allocated for self-enumeration.
Shanta said the delegation had earlier pressed for a demographic study, following which the Manipur State Population Commission organised a two-day workshop in coordination with the Home Department.
He stated that the organisations understood from communications with the government that implementing an NRC or NIRC would require a political decision.
The delegation therefore proposed the formation of a committee to seek an appointment with the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office, either independently or with government representatives, to determine whether the demand could be pursued.
Shanta said the Governor indicated that he would discuss the matter during his proposed visit to Delhi on Tuesday and also convey the concerns to the Chief Minister.
He added that the delegation had urged the Governor to facilitate a political discussion on the NRC demand, including possible measures under existing laws.
The delegation also raised concerns about the self-enumeration process that began on August 17. Shanta claimed that the online portal was not accessible when the organisations checked it on Monday.
Public meeting at Khwairamband Keithel
At a public meeting organised by women vendors at Khwairamband Keithel, JFD secretary organisation Longjam Ratankumar appealed to people not to cooperate with the self-enumeration process or the house-listing exercise scheduled to begin on September 1.
Ratankumar said JFD's demand was for the NRC to be updated using the 1951 Census data before the Census is conducted.
He said memorandums on the demand had been submitted to the Government of India, the Manipur government, the Registrar General of India and the Governor.
Ratankumar also referred to the 1980 memorandum of understanding between the Manipur government and civil society representatives concerning identification of foreigners and said it was reaffirmed in 1994. He argued that successive governments had failed to implement the commitments.
He further urged government employees appointed as Census enumerators and supervisors to withdraw from the exercise.
Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Shinpham Amadi Shaktam Kanba Lup general secretary Th Rani stated that the women vendors of Ima Keithel would support the JFD-led movement if the government proceeded with the Census despite the demand for an NRC first.
She also pointed to the large number of people displaced by the conflict and argued that IDPs should be resettled before any headcount is conducted.
Students protest at Bishnupur DC complex
In Bishnupur, JFD Students’ Wing members and students from schools in the district marched towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex after receiving information that training for Census enumerators and supervisors was being held at the Panchayat Resource Centre and Hall.
The protesters marched through Bishnupur Thongjaorok and towards the DC complex while raising slogans including “No NRC, No Census” and demanding the resettlement of IDPs.
They were stopped by police commandos and women personnel led by Bishnupur Police Station officer-in-charge Khogendro.
Following discussions with the police, three student representatives were allowed to meet the Additional District Magistrate.
JFD Students’ Wing Bishnupur member Takhellambam Jenis claimed that participants in the training had previously been asked not to attend but proceeded following government directions.
Apunba Nupi Lup Bishnupur District president L. Pramo also opposed the timing of the Census, arguing that the exercise should be conducted only after peace is restored, IDPs are resettled and the NRC demand is addressed.
Torch rally held in Bishnupur
Earlier on Sunday, the Bishnupur Akoiba Apunba Lup also organised a torch rally covering several areas of the district, including Ngakchoupokpi, Ngaikhong, Ngaikhong Siphai, Toubul, Khoijuman, Kwashiphai, Nachou, Kha Potshangbam and Bishnupur.
Thongam Sundari, joint secretary of the organisation’s women’s wing, called for the withdrawal of the government’s decision to proceed with the Census without first conducting an NRC.
She argued that the continuing displacement caused by the conflict made the timing of the exercise inappropriate.
Sundari also questioned how people living in relief camps would be recorded during the Census and raised concerns about the identification of people whom the organisation alleges are foreign nationals.
The Bishnupur Akoiba Apunba Lup expressed support for the JFD-led movement.
Protest reaches Kakching
A similar protest was held in Kakching after information emerged that Census-related training was scheduled at the DC Kakching Office Complex.
JFD Students’ Wing, local civil society organisations and Meira Paibis began gathering at Ibudhou Naohallai in Kakching Bazar from around 9:30 am.
At around 11 am, protesters carrying placards marched towards the DC office. Police stopped the procession near the complex, leading to a brief scuffle.
A six-member delegation subsequently met ADM Kakching Phurailatpam Bhavananda and urged the district administration to halt Census-related activities.
JFD Students’ Wing representative Md. Faraz stated that while Census was an important administrative exercise, the organisation considered it inappropriate to conduct it in Manipur amid the ongoing conflict and displacement.
He reiterated the demand for an NRC before the Census and the proper resettlement of IDPs.
Faraz warned that student organisations, civil society groups, Meira Paibis and members of the public in Kakching would intensify protests if the government proceeded with Census training and operations despite the opposition.
With the self-enumeration phase beginning on August 17 and house listing scheduled from September 1, the opposition campaign is expected to continue across the state.
The latest developments bring together protests, a statewide strike call and appeals for political intervention, as JFD and allied organisations continue to press the government to address their demand for an NRC before the Census.
