IMPHAL/UKHRUL: Residents, Meira Paibi groups and local clubs from around 10 localities of Keishampat staged a protest rally on Monday demanding the immediate updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1951 as the base year before the Census is conducted in Manipur.
The protesters raised slogans calling for the protection of the indigenous population and urged the government to take concrete measures against what they described as illegal immigration and demographic changes in the State.
They demanded that the NRC be updated using 1951 as the base year and maintained that the Census should not be conducted in Manipur before the NRC exercise is completed.
The protesters also called for strict enforcement of the law against individuals allegedly involved in illegal activities. They urged the government to prevent the entry or settlement of people whom they alleged were linked to Kuki militant groups and demanded action in accordance with the law.
They further expressed concern over what they described as attempts to alter Manipur’s demographic composition, urging the government to take firm measures to prevent further changes.
The protest rally was stopped by police at Keishampat Junction, where a heavy security deployment was made to prevent the protesters from proceeding further.
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The protesters reiterated that the NRC demand was linked to the protection of the indigenous population and called on the government to translate its stated position on the 1951 base year into concrete action.
The protest is part of the continuing campaign in Manipur demanding “NRC Updation Before Census” and “No NRC, No Census.”
