Khwairamband women resolve to continue NRC stir
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01 2026: Vendors of Khwairamband Ima Keithel have resolved to continue their protest until the Government issues an order to conduct the census only after the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is updated in Manipur.

They also appealed to all vendors and shopkeepers operating in and around the keithel to keep their establishments closed during the protest.

Speaking to the media in this regard, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup (KNKSASKL) general secretary Thingujam Rani said the vendors have been staging the protest since yesterday, spending the night at the keithel in support of the demand for updating the NRC .

Although the general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has ended, the protest by the Khwairamband Keithel vendors will continue, she added.

Rani appealed to everyone to support the movement demanding the updation of the NRC before the population census.

What people of Manipur want is not only the deferment of census, she said, urging the Government to take necessary measures to identify illegal immigrants settled in the State.

Update the NRC first before undertaking any census-related activity, she urged.

Saying that the rampant influx of illegal immigrants into Manipur has posed a serious threat to the indigenous people, Rani added that the vendors' protest would continue until the Government issues a notification for updating the NRC before conducting the census.

She also claimed that while the Kuki MLAs stand firmly in the interests of their community, the same cannot be said of the other legislators.

She said that people would not have taken to the streets to protest had the elected representatives worked in accordance with their aspirations.

Further claiming that the Opposition party has also done nothing other than reacting to the issue from time to time, Rani added that political parties are allegedly focusing more on elections than on addressing the concerns of the people.

Reiterating the demand to update the NRC, she cautioned that protests similar to those witnessed on June 18 could erupt again if the Government fails to address the issue.

Comment