Normal life across Imphal and several valley districts of Manipur was disrupted as a 48-hour general strike demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census entered its second day. The agitation, led by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), saw shops and businesses remain closed, roads and highways blocked and large rallies held across the valley. Protesters also burned effigies of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam while raising “No NRC, No Census” slogans. Although the first day witnessed injuries during police action, no major untoward incident was reported on the second day. The unrest prompted Governor Ajay Bhalla to travel to New Delhi to brief Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the situation, while a team of BJP MLAs also met central leaders to press for an NRC before the Census. The JFD announced plans to intensify the agitation through a boycott of state and Central government offices, excluding essential services. Women activists and representatives of various communities also voiced support for the demand and called for the Census to be deferred until internally displaced persons return to their native places. The developments come amid growing political and public pressure over the timing of the Census and the demand for an NRC in Manipur.
NRC Demand Intensifies as Manipur Strike Enters Second Day
