Scuffle breaks out as bodies rally for NRC In state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 28 2023: Demanding update and implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, volunteers of six student bodies and women vendors of the four markets in Khwairamband Keithel took out a rally on Tuesday.

The rally participants first staged a sit-in demonstration and then proceeded on a rally towards the Chief Minister's bungalow.

However, they were intercepted by police at the foot of the BT flyover, leading to a brief scuffle between the protestors and the police.

Later, the protestors turned the rally from Kangla gate and returned back to the market, while shouting slogans such as "Long Live Manipur", "Implement NRC in Manipur", and "Set up Population Commission" .

Speaking on the sidelines of the rally, one of the student leaders pointed out that the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, Bangla desh and Nepal have heavily affected the demography of the state, not to mention of the threat posed to the very existence of indigenous populace of the state.

In addition, the illegal immigrants have settled in reserved forest areas and are involved in cutting down trees on a mass scale for poppy plantations, thereby also impacting the environ ment and ecosystem of the state.

Many young people including students have fallen prey to drugs, which is a serious matter for all concerned.

Thus, there is the need for the government to implement NRC and set up a population commission to crackdown on the illegal immigrants and deport them to their respective countries, the student leader contended.

Recounting the state government's decision to implement NRC and the repeated written reminders from the six student bodies in this regard, he urged the government to take on the responsibility of implementing NRC in Manipur, similar to what the government of Assam did.

Earlier in the day, Imphal turned into a virtual battlefield following clashes between protesters and police after hundreds of women, students and youth organised protests rallies and demonstrations against the state governments alleged "delaying tac tics" in implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, and in setting up the Manipur State Population Commission.

As many as six students' organisations, supported by hundreds of women vendors from the Ima market' (all women market) and members of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) took out a rally towards the Chief Minister's official bungalow.

Huge contingent of police prevented the protesters from moving towards the CM's bungalow, leading to clashes in which many from both sides suffered minor injuries.

After the clashes, arguments and chaos, Manipur police said that the situation has been brought under control.

Volunteers of the six students' organisations assembled first in front of the Ima market before starting the rally with the support of many women traders.

The protesters held placards in their hands which read "protect indigenous rights and future", "save forests, save environment".

The protestors also announced to continue their movement demanding steps by the Manipur government to tackle illegal migration, implementation of the NRC and population commission.

On behalf of the students' bodies one Salam Upen said that their efforts for protection and preservation of the indigenous people would continue until and unless their demands are met.

According to elderly woman named Thoibi Devi, if the state government fails to implement the NRC to protect the indigenous people, all 60 legislators of Manipur should resign from the Assembly.

According to the agitators, the influx of outsiders from both inside and outside the country, including people from Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh, has significantly affected the identity, culture, economy, administration and environment of Manipur.

The students' organisations also demanded detecting and deporting illegal immigrants from Manipur.

"We are not against any community or religion, but we want to protect our land, environment, and indigenous communities from the adverse effects of illegal settlements," said a spokesperson for the students' bodies.

After the Manipur Assembly had last year adopted a private member resolution to establish a population commission in Manipur, the cabinet approved the establishment of the Manipur State Population Commission.

However, the required official process is yet to start for the functioning of the commission.

The Central government had on December 11, 2019 introduced the (Inner Line Permit) system to strictly monitor the movement of outsiders in the state and to protect the interest of the indigenous people.

The ILP under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, is an official travel document that allows an Indian citizen to visit the states where ILP is enforced for a limited period of time and with a specific purpose.

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