A torch rally opposing the proposed Census exercise and demanding implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before any census-related process was dispersed by police after tensions escalated in Manipur’s Kakching district on Sunday night.
A large number of protesters participated in the rally, raising slogans such as “No NRC, No Census” and demanding that the Census be deferred until internally displaced persons (IDPs) are resettled.
The protesters began their march from the Wabagai-Hiyanglam Lamkhai Keithel area and attempted to proceed towards the Kakching district headquarters. Police intercepted the rally near the Keirak Dam area as the protesters moved towards the district headquarters.
The situation reportedly became tense and later turned violent, prompting police to fire several rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
At least seven protesters, including four women, were detained during the incident. They were later released, according to reports.
The rally was organised under the banner of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation, which has been conducting a series of night-time torch rallies at different locations across Manipur in recent days.
The organisation has been demanding that the Census exercise be postponed until the NRC is implemented. It has also announced further agitation programmes and warned of a general strike from midnight on August 31 if the Government of India does not issue an official statement on deferring the Census.
The campaign has additionally announced plans to organise a march on the final day of the forthcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly session as part of its continuing protest.
The agitation comes amid continuing concerns in Manipur over the identification and resettlement of internally displaced people, demographic changes and the delimitation process. Protesters have been insisting that these issues be addressed before any Census-related exercise is undertaken.
