Manipur Braces for 24-Hour Shutdown as JDF Presses NRC-Census Demand
JDF's 24-hour Manipur strike begins at midnight, demanding suspension of census activities until NRC updation roadmap is initiated.
A 24-hour general strike called by the Joint Democratic Front (JDF) is set to begin across Manipur from midnight, intensifying pressure on the state government ahead of the Assembly session scheduled for September 2. The organisation is demanding a complete suspension of census-related activities until a roadmap for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is initiated.
The announcement follows a series of protests held at 18 locations across the valley on Sunday. A torch rally in Kakching, organised under the banner 'No NRC, No Census', turned tense when police stopped protesters from proceeding towards the district headquarters. Authorities fired tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd after a confrontation at the Keirak Dam area. At least seven people, including four women, were briefly detained during the incident.
JDF Convenor Jeetendra Ningombam said the strike is aimed at securing a concrete decision from the Assembly. "People expect a concrete decision on the floor of the House saying Manipur is suspending all census-related activities and a roadmap to start NRC updation," he stated. He also urged Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who is currently in Delhi, to take up the matter with the BJP-led government at the Centre, citing the Chief Minister's publicly declared support for NRC updation.
Further protests are planned for Monday, including at Ema Keithel and other locations across the valley. The JDF has warned that its agitation will continue if its demands are not addressed during the upcoming Assembly session.
Chief Minister Khemchand, who left for Delhi on Sunday, has appealed to all sections of society to refrain from calling bandhs or blockades, cautioning that such actions could lead to violent incidents and cause public hardship. He urged the adoption of democratic forms of agitation instead. He also appreciated the efforts of civil society leaders and MLAs who recently campaigned in Delhi for NRC implementation, noting a positive response to their campaign. The Chief Minister warned that stringent action would be taken against those who violate the law or attempt to create a chaotic situation.
With the strike beginning at midnight, the NRC-Census issue is poised to remain a major point of contention as the state gears up for the Assembly session.