UKHRUL: The 48-hour general strike organized by the Just and Fair Delimitation group significantly disrupted normal life in Manipur, especially in the valley and surrounding areas. Imphal city appears deserted, as protesters hold sit-ins during the total shutdown, with only a few essential services remaining operational.
As part of the total shutdown, a massive sit-in protest was held at Awang Sekmai, involving participants from more than 20 villages from both the Meitei and Naga communities. This sit-in was organized by the North Indigenous Women Organisation, drawing hundreds of women from Awang Sekmai, Santipur, Awang Leikinthabi, Pheidinga, Maharabi, Tingri, Potsangbam, Khurkhul, Kanglatongbi Bazaar Board, Tendongyan, Makhan, Kanglatongbi Namdilong, Kanto Sabal, Wabagai, Mapao Thangal, Mapao Khulun, Khul Khu Naga village, Kanto Awang Leikai, Kanto Makha Leikai, Namdilong, Koirengei, and Koirengei Bazaar.
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During the protest, Native People’s Committee Manipur (NPCM) Convener Ashang Kasar stated that the demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the census is not against any community; rather, it aims to prevent the enrollment of illegal immigrants in the census. He mentioned that in 1952-53, around 1,500 Kuki families immigrated from Myanmar to Manipur, and their population has now grown to approximately 300,000. He also reported that there are about 926 unrecognized Kuki villages in Manipur, which could drastically impact the census demographics.
Kasar emphasized that the NRC should be updated using 1951 as the base year to identify illegal immigrants. He attributed the increase in illegal immigration to the ongoing conflict in the state and claimed that the Meitei-Kuki conflict arose due to the Kukis’ demand for separate administration, rather than the Meiteis’ request for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. He urged all indigenous communities to support the demand for updating the NRC before the census.
KC Romeo, representing the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation, affirmed that their demand does not oppose the census but seeks to defer it until the NRC is updated. He pointed out that there were 111,934 illegal immigrants recorded in the 2011 census and stressed that conducting a census while thousands of Internally Displaced Persons are languishing in relief camps is not feasible. He warned of severe political ramifications if the census proceeds without updating the NRC. He also questioned why the Kukis object to using 1951 as the base year for NRC updating.
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Another similar protest was organized at Awang Sekmai by the Awang Sekmai Kanpa Nupi Lup, Coordinating Committee Sekmai Kanglatongbi Kanba Lup, and the Awang Sekmai Youth Development Committee. Hundreds of women protested, demanding NRC updating before the census, displaying placards that read “Save Manipur,” “NRC First, Not Census,” and “No NRC, No Census.”
Additionally, a protest was held at Yaingangpokpi Bazaar, featuring both Meitei and Naga participants. Addressing the gathering, Ashang Kasar reiterated the necessity of updating the NRC before conducting the census. The Tangkhul Naga community, represented by the Tangkhul Naga Valley Students’ Association (TNVSA), also joined in the protest.
Speaking to Ukhrul Times, one female protester emphasized that the demand for updating the NRC is inclusive, calling on government officials and politicians to listen. She warned that the government would be solely responsible for any consequences if it failed to heed this demand.
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Notably, the United Naga Council has called for the implementation of the NRC using 1951 as the base year, stating: No Census until NRC is completed; No Delimitation until NRC is completed; and Stop Random Village Recognition.
