'No NRC, No Census' agitation draws support in Pallel, Kumbi and Phougakchao
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal/Bishnupur, August 22 2026:
Extending support to the ongoing Joint Forum for Democratic (JFD) agitation demanding updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the conduct of the Census, residents of Pallel, including members of the Meitei and Naga communities, jointly staged a sit-in protest at Pallel Keithel on Saturday.
The protest, organised under the banner "No Census, No NRC", was marked by the closure of business establishments at Pallel Keithel.
Eleven Naga organisations, Pallel Meira Paibi groups and Meitei civil society organisations participated in the demonstration.
Protesters raised slogans demanding that no Census be conducted before the NRC is updated and called for 1951 to be retained as the base year for the NRC.
Placards bearing messages such as "No NRC, No Census" were also displayed.
Speaking on the occasion, Pallel Apunba Meira Paibi Lup finance secretary Romita Leimapokpam said the prolonged turmoil in Manipur and the inability of people to lead normal lives reflected the failure of the authorities to take appropriate measures.
She termed the State Government's move to proceed wife preparations for the Census before updation of the NRC as unfortunate and expressed concern over its possible impact on the indigenous population.
Romita maintained that, unless the NRC is updated first, illegal immigrants from outside the country could be included in the Census.
She asserted that conducting the Census without first updating the NRC would not be acceptable to the people.
Maring Women Union president Julee Aling also strongly opposed the proposed conduct of the Census before NRC updation.
She said there could be no compromise on the demand for an updated NRC and appealed to the Government to respect the sentiments of the people and take appropriate steps.
The Kumbi Kendra Progressive Front also organised a sit-in protest at Kumbi Keithel in solidarity with the JFD's ongoing 'No NRC, No Census" agitation.
JFD finance secretary Sunil Karam, members of the women's wing of the Kumbi Kendra Command and Control Committee, Kumbi Kendra Progressive Farmers' Association president S Dinesh, social workers Sanjoy Ahanthem and Jaya Khangembam, among others, attended the demonstration.
Speaking at the protest, Kumbi Kendra Progressive Front advisor Kh Iboton described the JFD's movement as a justified step and said the organisation would extend support to any further democratic agitation launched by the forum, along with likeminded organisations in the constituency.
Protesters displayed placards carrying messages including 'No NRC, No Census", "Save Manipur", 'No Settlement of IDPs", 'No Delimitation" and similar slogans.
Meanwhile, Phougakchao Meira Paibi organised a torch rally on Friday evening in support of the demand for NRC updation before the Census.
The rally began from Phougakchao Ikhai Keithel and proceeded towards Kwakta Keithel before returning to Phougakchao Keithel.
Participants raised slogans including 'No NRC, No Census", "Protect the Territorial Integrity of Manipur" and "Government Must Act According to the Sentiment of the People".
Speaking during the rally, a Meira Paibi member, Keithellakpam Kegesana, expressed concern over the proposed Census exercise while many internally displaced persons (IDPs) were yet to return to their original homes.
She pointed out that several violence-affected areas remain under strict security arrangements, with displaced residents facing difficulties in accessing their homes.
According to her, many families whose houses were damaged or burnt during the violence are still unable to return and rebuild their homes.
Kegesana urged the authorities to first identify illegal immigrants through an updated NRC before proceeding with the Census.
She also warned against forcing the Census exercise in areas where tensions and displacement-related issues remain unresolved, calling on the Government to address the concerns of affected communities first.
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