Normal life was severely disrupted across five valley districts of Manipur on September 1 as a 24-hour statewide strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) over the demand for an NRC update before the Census brought businesses, educational institutions and public transport to a halt.
Markets and business establishments remained closed, while roads wore a deserted look in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching. Educational institutions also remained shut and public transport stayed off the roads, although some private vehicles were seen plying. At Yairipok in Thoubal district, supporters reportedly placed bamboo poles on roads to restrict vehicular movement.
The strike continued despite the Centre’s decision on Monday to defer the Census exercise in Manipur following a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. The Census had been scheduled to begin in the state from September 1.
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam had appealed to the JFD to withdraw the strike following the decision. However, the organisation continued the agitation, saying there was no official order confirming the deferment.
According to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the decision followed discussions on demands from people and civil society organisations to implement the NRC before the Census. The meeting was attended by Amit Shah, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and other senior officials.
Khemchand thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah for addressing concerns raised over the Census.
