Manipur: Anti-Census protests continue amid demand for formal deferment order
The Union government on Monday announced the deferment of the population enumeration exercise in Manipur amid protests
In Manipur, a group advocating for an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) ahead of the 2027 Census is staging a 24-hour shutdown. The demand for a formal deferment order from the Union government has fueled protests amidst escalating ethnic violence. The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) continues its shutdown, blocking roads and initiating sit-ins in Imphal, the valley district's capital.
The shutdown persists until the government gazette officially confirms the postponement of the Census. Naga and Meitei organizations have been protesting since August 16, fearing that a Census without an updated NRC could lead to demographic changes due to illegal immigrants from Myanmar. The Kuki-Zo Council, representing Kuki-Zo communities, opposes the move, citing the Assam NRC's legal setbacks.
The JFD, spearheading the agitation, has organized torch rallies in Imphal Valley, where 300 have lost their lives since May 2023 in ethnic violence. The Manipur high court has temporarily halted the house-listing exercise pending further court notification, with the next hearing scheduled for October 12.
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