NRC demand intensifies with rallies, sit-ins
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur/Thoubal, August 30 2026: Even as JFD's "No NRC, No Census" movement has intensified, civil bodies and locals organised rallies and sit-in protests across Bishnupur and Thoubal today.

A human chain with meira was also held from Singjamei Chingamakha to Heirangoithong today evening.

While a meira rally was organised in Keibul Lamjao area under Thanga AC today, protesters at Moirang Philem Laiphrakpam Leikai community hall submitted a memorandum to the Constituency's MLA Thongam Shanti.

The memorandum sought to know the MLA's stand on the demand for NRC before census.

NRC demand intensifies with rallies, sit-ins

Making his stand known, the MLA affirmed that he supports the public demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) prior to census 2027 .

The MLA further acknowledged the importance of updating the NRC before census, and said "it is time for all to come together and join the movement" .

Prior to submitting the memorandum, at the sit-in, Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) convenor Jeetendra Ningomba appealed to all sections of the society, MLAs, Ministers and political leaders to come together and push for NRC as one.

The census, if conducted before updating the NRC, will be devastating for the indigenous communities and State, Jeetendra said.

The movement for NRC is to save the indigenous communities and the State as a whole.

Therefore, every section of the society, MLAs and Ministers, and all political party leaders must come out openly and unite as one and support the cause, he said.

He expressed hope that all the Ministers and MLAs would be wanting NRC in their hearts even though some have not yet come out openly expressing their support.

While some MLAs have come out openly and strongly supported the call for NRC before census, some have not yet expressed their stand, he said.

The reason for some of the MLAs not openly expressing their support may be political.

"Party rules and desire for power, position may be stopping them," Jeetendra said.

However, considering the issues and the situation Manipur is facing, all the MLAs irrespective of their parties, whether belonging to the ruling party or the Opposition, must come together and support the public movement, he added.

Responding to queries of the media, Jeetendra said Union Home Minister Amit Shah has the power to postpone the census.

The Constitution has provisions allowing census to be postponed in case of natural disaster, or unrest.

Deferring census exercise is not new.

It has happened in Jammu and Kashmir in 1951 and 1991, Assam in 1981, and Nagaland in 1991, he added.

There has been unrest in Manipur since May 2023.Houses have been burnt and destroyed, and people have been displaced.

The situation in Manipur is clearly not conducive for census operations, he said.

The sit-in demonstration was organised by the Moirang Apunba Meira Paibi Ima Lup (MAMPIL) and Kege Moirang Kendra Apunba Lup (KEMKAL).

Locals and internally displaced persons from relief camps took part in the demonstration.

Salai Kanba Lup Manipur chairman L Gopal, MAMPIL president K Padamabati, JFD organisation secretary L Ratankumar were present.

Meira rally

Endorsing JFD's call for NRC, womenfolk carried out a meira rally from Keibul Sagram Awang Leikai to Chingmei Keinya Bazar in the evening.

The rally was organised by the Sagram Apunba Ima Lup (KLSAIL) .

The torch bearers carried placards and banners demanding NRC prior to the census.

Thoubal rally

The Wangjing, Lamding, Heirok Area Auto Owners Welfare Association also organised an auto-rickshaw rally.

The rally was carried out from Heirok Litan Makhong to Thoubal Mela Ground.

Banners that read "No NRC, No Census", "No IDP Settlement, No Census" were displayed.

A sit-in demonstration was also held at Thoubal Ningombam Luxmi Bazar.

The demonstration was organised by the Ningombam Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Ningombam Young Pioneers Club (NYPC), Ningombam Utha Youth Club (NUYC), Ningombam Ideal Youth Club (NIYC), SDC Club Thoubal Ningombam and UTL .