JFD's general strike total
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01 2026: The 24-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) affected normal life across Imphal and all valley districts today.

All markets across valley districts remained shut and the bandh was enforced on all major roads.

Notably, the general strike was called demanding an exercise to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) prior to Census 2027 .

While a high level meeting in Delhi yesterday, attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, reportedly took a decision to defer the census operations in Manipur, the JFD had nonetheless decided to go ahead with the general strike.

JFD's general strike total

Reaffirming its decision to impose the 24-hour general strike, the JFD had said that it was not satisfied with the decision taken in Delhi.

It had argued that the Government's stand on the demand for updating the NRC was not clear, and mentioned in the reported Government communique.

During the strike, locals and volunteers at different localities enforced the bandh bringing vehicular movement, except emergency and essential services, to a complete halt.

Several organisations and localities continued to stage sit-in protest demonstrations.

Khwairamband Keithel in Imphal and all markets across the valley districts remained shut.

Schools remained closed, and attendance in Government offices was low.

Security forces were deployed in sensitive and vulnerable areas.

Security forces removed burnt tyres and articles from the middle of the roads.

However, there were no reports of any clashes with protesters or unwanted incidents occurring during the day.

The general strike at Langthabal Kunja was enforced strongly with locals denying passage even to the police.

Locals in large number came out at Lamshang Bazar, Uripok, Sagolband Tera, Khuraijam Leirak and enforced the bandh, raising slogans demanding NRC.

Sit-in protest demonstrations were also held in several regions, including one at Maibam Mamang Leikai, Mayang Imphal.

Maibam Mamang Leikai Meira Paibi and Maibam Social Welfare Club organised the demonstration.

The protesters held placards that read "No NRC, No Census; Our Land, Our Right, Our Future" .

During the sit-in, Maibam Mamang Leikai Meira Paibi secretary Maibam Echan claimed that the Government's reported decision to defer the census for a month is a tactic to dilute and undermine the public movement for NRC .

The public movement must continue until concrete actions are taken to update the NRC, she said.

A poster campaign at Nongmeibung Leikai also demonstrated support for the JFD and the movement for NRC .

Nongmeibung Women Development Association and the local Meira Paibi Lup organised the campaign.

A representative of the association, Ningthoujam Menaka, said the people fully support the JFD in its campaign for updating the NRC before Census.

The Government must make its stand clear, and take visible steps to update the NRC, she said.