Manipur: Anti-Census protests continue amid demand for formal deferment order
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
An Imphal Valley group, seeking an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) ahead of the 2027 Census in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, went ahead with a shutdown, demanding official confirmation of the Union government’s announcement on Monday deferring the population enumeration exercise.
Adding to this, A rally demanding NRC updation before the Census 2027. (ANI) The Union government’s move came amid mounting violence and demands to update the NRC before conducting the Census.
Meanwhile, The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) shared the shutdown will continue as the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India has yet to issue a formal order deferring the Census in Manipur. The 24-hour shutdown paralysed Valley districts of Manipur since early Tuesday.
Notably, JFD convener Jeetendra Ningomba shared the shutdown will continue unless the postponement is notified in the government gazette.
As per the latest buzz, Naga and Meitei organisations have held protests since August 16 demanding an updated NRC before the Census. The Kuki-Zo communities have opposed the move.
In further updates, Meitei and Naga communities say that a Census without NRC could result in “demographic changes” due to the entry of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Myanmar. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), a Kuki-Zo apex body, has shared NRC before the Census is “premature and unjustified”.
On top of that, The KZC cited the experience of Assam, where the NRC, as per the Assam Accord of 1985, excluded around 1.9 million people from the final list and remained caught in legal challenges and appeals before Foreigners Tribunals.
JFD has been spearheading the anti-Census agitation. Its student wing locked down the Directorate of Census Operations, Manipur. Torch rallies have been organised in parts of the state, particularly in the Imphal Valley.
Source: Hindustan Times