Protests demanding an update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census were held at several locations across Manipur on August 17, with demonstrators opposing the Census exercise until their demands were addressed.
The protests were organised under the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) with the slogans ‘NRC Updation Before Census’, ‘No NRC, No Census’ and ‘No IDP Settlement, No Census’. The JFD’s student wing attempted to stop Census training sessions at DM Teacher Training College and Hindi Teachers Training College, leading to clashes with security forces as protesters were dispersed.
A sit-in was held at Khwairamband Ima Market, where several shops remained closed. Students also took out a rally from Tiddim Ground to Keishampat Junction, demanding an NRC update and the suspension of a police officer whom they alleged had used excessive force during a recent agitation at the Directorate of Census.
JFD organising secretary Longjam Ratan said the organisation was demanding that the NRC be updated using 1951 as the base year, citing concerns over alleged illegal immigration and protection of Manipur’s indigenous population. He said the JFD had submitted representations to the state and Central governments but had not received a response.
Ratan said the JFD was formed in 2025 and would intensify its agitation if the government continued to ignore its demands.
