Members of the student wing of the Campaign for Justice and Fair Delimitation (JFD) staged a protest outside the Directorate of Census Operations in Imphal East on Saturday, demanding that the upcoming Census operation in Manipur be deferred until the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is updated in the state.
The protesters gathered outside the Directorate and raised slogans of “No NRC, No Census”, opposing the scheduled commencement of the Census exercise from Monday.
According to the protesters, they have been organising various forms of agitation to press the authorities to defer the Census until the NRC updating process is completed. They alleged that their demand has not been addressed despite repeated representations and protests.
Tension reportedly escalated at the site when some protesters attempted to lock the office premises. Security personnel subsequently used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Three student protesters were reportedly injured during the ensuing action.
A protester said the agitation would continue until the authorities agree to defer the Census and undertake the NRC updating process.
The protesters also expressed concern over the alleged presence of illegal immigrants in the state. They argued that conducting the Census without first identifying such persons could affect the accuracy of population data.
They further claimed that the displacement of indigenous residents and the alleged influx of illegal immigrants made it necessary to complete the NRC updating process before conducting the Census.
The student activists warned that they would intensify their agitation if the authorities failed to accept their demand for deferment of the Census operation.
