'No NRC, No Census' agitation intensifies across Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur/Thoubal/Jiribam, August 23 2026: Extending support to the statewide 'No NRC, No Census' agitation launched by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), sit-in protests and torch rallies were held in Bishnupur, Thoubal and Jiribam districts on Sunday, with participants demanding the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census is conducted in Manipur.

At Kumbi in Bishnupur district, the Kumbi Kendra Progressive Front, under the leadership of social activist Sanjoy Ahanthem, organised a sit-in protest at Kumbi Bazar as part of the JFD-led statewide movement.

Addressing the gathering, Sanjoy questioned the failure of the Government led by Chief Minister Y Khemchand to take a decision on deferring the Census and updating the NRC, and asked whether the Government was committed to safeguarding the indigenous people of the State.

He alleged that illegal immigrants had settled in several parts of Manipur hill districts and expressed concern that conducting the Census without first identifying such immigrants through an updated NRC could lead to demographic challenges and adversely affect the interests, economy, cultural identity and political representation of indigenous communities.

Sanjoy further claimed that if delimitation is carried out on the basis of a Census conducted without an NRC update, the distribution of Assembly seats between the valley and hill areas could undergo significant changes.

He urged the Government to take a concrete decision at the earliest to update the NRC first and conduct the Census only thereafter.

The protest was attended by JFD finance secretary Sunil Karam, Kumbi Progressive Farmers' Association president Sanasam Dinesh, representatives of the Command and Control Committee, Meira Paibi leaders and other prominent persons from across Kumbi Assembly Constituency.

The programme concluded with protesters raising slogans of "No NRC, No Census".

Meanwhile, residents of Thanga Chingkha also staged a protest demonstration on Sunday in support of the ongoing statewide agitation.

The protest was organised jointly by Arica Club, Thanga Chingkha and the Meira Paibis of Thanga Chingkha, with inmates of the Thanga Chingkha Relief Camp also taking part.

The protesters displayed placards bearing the slogan "No NRC, No Census" and demanded an early decision on the updation of the NRC.

Speaking at the protest, Babita Devi, an internally displaced person from Ngathal Meitei Leikai in Churachandpur who is presently staying at the relief camp, said the demand for an NRC was aimed at safeguarding the interests and future of indigenous communities in Manipur.

She alleged that members of the Meitei community living in Churachandpur had faced difficulties and deprivation despite being natives of the State.

She expressed concern over demographic changes and urged the people's representatives to collectively raise the voice of indigenous communities before the Centre and take appropriate measures to safeguard their interests before conducting the Census.

In Thoubal district, a sit-in protest was organised at Tentha Heibung Community Hall under the banner of 'No NRC, No Census'.

The protest was organised by the Sanamahi Laining Lup in support of the JFD-led statewide agitation.

Former AMUCO president Ph Nando Luwang, elders of the locality and a large number of residents of Tentha took part in the protest.

The demonstrators displayed placards bearing messages such as "The future of our coming generation is shaped by the actions and choices of today's generation" and "No NRC, No Census".

Speaking on the occasion, Sanamahi Laining Lup secretary Loukham Sana Luwang said that the move by the Government of India and the State Government to conduct the Census without first updating the NRC was untimely.

He maintained that illegal immigrants must first be identified through an updated NRC before any Census exercise is carried out in the State.

Other speakers also highlighted the importance of updating the NRC in Manipur and discussed the possible long-term consequences of conducting the Census without such an exercise.

Meanwhile, residents of Langathel and Phundrei villages organised a torch rally on Saturday, demanding that the Census and elections should not be held before the updation of the NRC.

The rally, which witnessed participation by members of both the Meitei and Meitei Pangal communities, also called for the resettlement of internally displaced persons before the Census.

Beginning from Langathel Kangjeibung Lampak, the rally proceeded towards the Khongjom War Memorial Complex.

Protesters raised slogans including "No Census before NRC update", "No election before NRC update" and "No Census before resettlement of IDPs".

JFD spokesperson Mayengbam Somorjit and other members of the organisation also participated in the rally.

Speaking during the protest, Md Jabir Khan said that preparations to conduct the Census before updating the NRC were against the wishes of the people.

He demanded an immediate halt to all Census-related activities and urged the Government to update the NRC first, followed by the Census and elections.

He warned that the people of Langathel and Phundrei would not remain silent if the Government acted against the collective will of the people.

The Jiri United Committee (JUC) also organised a torch rally at Jiribam on Sunday, demanding the updation of the NRC before the Census is conducted.

The rally commenced from Lamkhai Keithel and Dibong Karong before converging at Irabot Complex, Babupara.

Meira Paibis, civil society organisations, students and members of various communities in Jiribam participated in the rally, reiterating the demand of "No NRC, No Census" .

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