Manipur Shutdown Continues Despite Census Deferment Over NRC Demand

A 24-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation ( JFD) demanding the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census paralysed normal life across at least five valley districts of Manipur on Tuesday.

Markets, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed, while public transport stayed off the roads in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching. Streets wore a deserted look, with only a few private vehicles seen moving. At Yairipok in Thoubal district, bandh supporters reportedly used bamboo poles to block traffic.

The agitation was triggered by concerns among sections of civil society over the proposed Census exercise, which was scheduled to begin in Manipur on September 1. The protesters' central demand is that the NRC be updated first, arguing that citizenship verification should precede the population count. They believe the sequence could have implications for demographic records, indigenous identity and future political representation, including delimitation.

The slogan “No NRC, No Census” has emerged as the rallying point of the campaign. Protesters insist that merely postponing the Census does not address their core demand for a formal and concrete commitment to NRC updation.

The Union government, however, responded by deferring the Census exercise in Manipur following a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and other senior officials.

The state government subsequently conveyed the Centre's decision, while Khemchand Singh welcomed the move and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for responding to the concerns raised in the state.

However, the JFD went ahead with the strike, saying the deferment alone was insufficient without an official assurance on NRC updation before any Census or delimitation exercise. The shutdown underlined the continuing sensitivity and deep divisions surrounding citizenship, demographic concerns and the future political landscape of Manipur.