NRC demand: Markets in Bishnupur remain closed
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, September 02 2026: All major markets in Bishnupur district remained closed today as a part of public movement demanding NRC before Census.

The markets which remained shut today include Nambol Keithel, Keinou Keithel, Bishnupur Keithel, Ningthoukhong Keithel, Moirang Khoyol Keithel and Moirang Thoibi Awoon Keithel.

The women vendors and organisers said the stir was called in support of an earlier decision of the Khwairamband Keithel vendors to continue the NRC stir.

Moirang Bazar Keithel Phambi Apunba Ima Lup, Lamangdong Ima Keithel Development Committee and Lamangdong Bazar Board, and South Auto Association organised the sit-in demonstrations at Moirang Keithel and Bishnupur Keithel.

At the Bishnupur Keithel demonstration, the protesters said they endorse the demand for updating the NRC being raised by the JFD and 14 CSOs.

The National Register of Citizens must be updated in Manipur to detect foreigners illegally settling in Manipur, and protect the rights and interests of the indigenous people, they said.

Nambol Keithel Apunba Lukmai Sintha Lup, United Protection Committee, Apunba Meira Paibi Lup Nambol and Shopkeepers Association Nambol organised the demonstration at Nambol Wakat Shanglen.

During the demonstration, Nambol Keithel Apunba Lukmai Sintha Lup secretary Yumnam Shanti said the State Government must take visible actions to update the NRC before census.

The State Assembly, which is in session, must take a strong resolution to update the NRC, she added.

Internally displaced persons staying at the relief camps too staged a sit-in protest at Moirang Lamkhai Khoyol Keithel.

The demonstration was organised by the Torbung, Bangla Waikhurok Victims' Committee.

During the protest, the IDPs raised slogans and held placards that read "No NRC, No Census", "NRC first, Census Next", "Justice for Manipur", "No Census without proper IDPs settlement", "Save Manipur's identity", and "IDPs deserve dignity, security and proper settlement" etc.

Babita Rajkumari, an internally displaced person from Torbung Bangla, said the census must be conducted only after the NRC is updated and IDPs are allowed to return to their original homes.

The Government must update the NRC to detect illegal immigrants and protect the rights and interests of the genuine citizens, she said.

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