‘No NRC, No Census’ Strike Shuts Manipur Valley for 2nd Day
Markets, educational institutions, business establishments, and public transport stayed largely shut in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur.
Guwahati:Normal life remained disrupted across Manipur’s five valley districts on Wednesday, the second day of a 48-hour statewide strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD). While the JDF presses for the implementation and updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state before the ongoing Census exercise in Manipur, governor Ajay K. Bhalla rushes to New Delhi amid speculation of his meeting with Mr Shah taking over the issue.
Markets, educational institutions, business establishments, and public transport stayed largely shut in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. Government offices recorded thin attendance. A few private vehicles were seen on the roads, but public transport remained off the streets. Strike enforcers in parts of Imphal East and Imphal West blocked roads with bamboo poles and stone boulders, staged protests, and put up posters reading “No NRC, No Census.”
On Tuesday, state government spokesperson and MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh had announced that a delegation of legislators will travel to New Delhi to meet Central leaders and press the demand for NRC before the census. The Manipur Assembly had earlier passed resolutions seeking NRC ahead of the census, citing demographic concerns. Former chief minister N. Biren Singh also indicated a positive response from Union home minister Amit Shah on the issue of NRC updation.
Amid the ongoing strike over NRC demand, security forces were deployed at key locations as a precaution. Reports from the first day noted some incidents of vandalism against shops that defied the call and injuries during enforcement or clashes in places, though Wednesday’s developments in Imphal focused on continued shutdown and peaceful enforcement in many areas.
Separately, civil society organisations in Tengnoupal district on Wednesday warned of a 48-hour total bandh on the National Highway from August 24 if the state government fails to implement a governor’s order on the transfer and posting of doctors at key health facilities in Moreh and Tengnoupal, citing shortages amid disease concerns.
