Manipur protesters demand NRC update before census

Protests have intensified across Manipur as civil society groups and students demand that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be updated before the upcoming census exercise begins. Under the banner of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), demonstrators have organized torch rallies, marches, and demonstrations at government offices.

Protesters are calling for the deferment of the census until the NRC is completed and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are resettled in their original homes. Demonstrators have raised concerns regarding citizenship identification and potential demographic changes in the state.

In Imphal, tensions rose when police deployed tear gas after activists attempted to enter the Directorate of Census Operations. Additionally, student groups attempted to disrupt census training programs at local educational institutions. Security forces have implemented stringent measures across affected areas to manage the demonstrations.