JFD's 48 hrs general strike affects normal life for 2nd day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 19 2026: Normal life was severely affected across Manipur on the second day of the 48-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Free Delimitation (JFD), which is demanding updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the context of Manipur before the commencement of the Census exercise.

The strike brought daily activities to a standstill in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnu-pur and Jiribam to a standstill with shops, business establishments and commercial markets remaining shut.

JFD's 48 hrs general strike affects normal life for 2nd day

At several places, roads were blocked with bamboo poles and other makeshift barricades, preventing even people travelling to attend religious programmes from passing through.

Major streets and highways wore a deserted look, with only a few private vehicles seen moving in several districts.

Educational institutions, banks, fuel stations and several other establishments also remained closed while Government offices witnessed thin attendance.

Endorsing the general strike, people from different communities took out a rally from the Canchipur and Kakwa areas toward Singjamei.

However, the rally was stopped by a group of women near Singjamei Chingamathak Traffic Point, who joined hands to block the road and asked the rallyists to turn back.

This led to an argument between the two sides.

Shortly afterwards, a team of Imphal West police rushed to the spot to prevent the situation from escalating.

Escorted by security forces, the rallyists subsequently turned back after a while.

Speaking to the media, some protesters said that some women obstructed the rally with a narrow political outlook.

They urged them not to display such "narrow-mindedness" but join the movement to secure the future of the State.

They also urged the Government to halt all census related activities until the NRC is updated.

At Khurai Lamlong Sajor Leikai, protesters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam.

The protesters maintained that no census-related activities should be undertaken until the NRC is updated and the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are rehabilitated in their respective places.

The protesters also blocked the road by placing burning tyres.

As the protest intensified, a team of Imphal East commandos rushed to the site to disperse the protesters, leading to a stand-off between the two sides.

One protester was reportedly injured in the ensuing confrontation.

Volunteers of Thangmeiband Youths' Organisation and local meira paibi also blocked the road at Khoyathong, supporting the demand to update NRC first before commencing the Census exercise.

Similarly, IDPs taking refuge at Mekola Gulap Higher Secondary School, along with a large number of women, blocked the road at Mekola.

The protesters carried placards bearing slogans such as :No NRC, No Census," "60 MLAs Must Deliver the Aspirations of the People," "Stop Divide and Rule Policy," and "Government Must Protect the Indigenous People" among others.

The protesters said the future of Manipur would remain uncertain if illegal immigrants are included in the Census.

They urged the Government to understand the concerns and plight of the indigenous people and take appropriate action.

The IDPs, on the other hand, questioned how the Government plans to conduct the Census when they still are in relief camps.

They said conducting the Census without first rehabilitating and resettling them in their native places would be unfair.

Protesters who were blocking the road at Kyamgei said the delegation of ruling MLAs that went to Delhi must return with an assurance from the Central leadership that the NRC would be updated in Manipur if they are sincere about restoring normalcy in the State.

They said the Government must understand why the people of Manipur are demanding the deferment of the census despite its importance, and act accordingly.

Roads were also blocked at several places in Jiribam using tree branches, bamboo poles and other makeshift barriers with members of the Meitei, Naga and Meitei Pangal communities demanding that the NRC be updated before the population-counting exercise is undertaken.

Jiri News Network reported that the movement of people was severely restricted by bandh supporters.

Likewise, normal life was paralysed in Thoubal district, with protesters blocking roads at Thoubal Bazar, Khangabok, Wangjing Bazar, Wangkhem Keithel, Siphai Leikai and Yairipok Huidrom Leikai.

As in other parts of the State, major markets across the district remained closed in support of the demand for updating the NRC .

Different forms of protest demonstrations, including road blockades, were staged at multiple locations across Bishnupur district, including Nambol Keithel, Bishnupur Bazar, Ningthoukhong Keithel, Moirang Lamkhai, Moirang Keithel, Kumbi Keithel, Sagang Bazar and Ithai Wapokpi, among others.

At all the protest sites, demonstrators demanded that Census-related activities be halted until the NRC is updated.

Roads were also blocked at Palace Compound, Keishamthong, Keishampat, Nambol, Uripok, Thangmeiband, , Nongmeibung, Porompat, Kwakeithel, Lamlongei, Mantripukhri, Kakwa, Naoremthong, Bamon Leikai and near Manipur Legislative Assembly.