Imphal. Life remained affected in five districts of the valley on Wednesday, the second day of the 48-hour statewide strike called in Manipur demanding implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the census. Markets, educational institutions and business establishments remained closed, while public transport services also remained halted. However, private vehicles were seen plying in some areas.
The impact of the strike was mainly limited to the districts of the valley. Normal activities continued in the hill districts.
Protestors took to the streets in Imphal-
In many areas of Imphal East and Imphal West, strike supporters blocked roads by placing bamboo poles and large stones. The protesters raised slogans demanding NRC and put up posters reading 'No NRC, No Census'.
The effect of the bandh was also seen in Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur. Markets and educational institutions remained closed in these districts, while the presence of employees in government offices was less than normal.
Life remained normal in hilly districts-
The strike called by 'Campaign for Just and Free Delimitation' (JFD) did not have much impact in the hill districts. Shops and other activities continued normally in other hilly areas including Churachandpur.
State government spokesperson and MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh had said on Tuesday that a delegation of MLAs will go to New Delhi and meet the central leaders. The delegation will apprise the Center about the demand of the local people to implement NRC before the census.
Demand for NRC before the census process starts-
The self-enumeration phase under Census 2027 has started from August 17. After this, house-listing work is proposed from 1st September to 30th September.
Keeping this deadline in mind, the demand for implementing NRC has gained momentum. The protesters say that NRC should be implemented before the census process goes ahead in the state, so that the identification of alleged illegal immigrants can be ensured.
There was a demonstration outside the census office also-
Students had demonstrated outside the Directorate of Census Operations in Imphal on Sunday demanding NRC. The police had to use tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
Earlier, on the evening of 16 August, hundreds of protesters had also taken out a torch rally in Imphal East and Imphal West. The protesters demanded that the census related process should not be carried forward in the state without implementing NRC.
Chief Minister said- Government is in support of NRC-
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh said on Tuesday that the state government has been supporting the demand for NRC for a long time. He said that the Assembly has already passed a resolution on this issue and informed the Central Government.
However, the Chief Minister appealed to the protesters to adopt other methods of protest instead of bandh and road blockade. He said that the bandh and blockade has the biggest impact on daily wage laborers and students.
Manipur Assembly had also passed a resolution on the issue of NRC in the year 2022.