Imphal: Agitators in Manipur are demanding a formal government order to update the National Register of Citizens using 1951 as the base year. The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation led protests at Khonghampat Awang Leikai alongside the North Imphal Meira and Clubs Co-ordinating Committee. Representatives from 20 villages and local Meira Paibis joined the sit-in.
JFD Convenor Jeetendra Ningombam set a firm deadline. He told the crowd that the JFD would continue its agitation if the Manipur Government failed to inform the public by the end of September. The group wants clear proof of progress. Ningombam demanded the government release any commitments received from the Centre regarding these issues.
The group maintains three specific demands. First, officials must halt the census until the NRC update is complete. Second, the government must finish resettling all internally displaced persons in their homes. Third, 1951 must serve as the official base year for the citizenship register. They argue that protecting the local population remains a duty for the current generation.
Protesters displayed signs reading Truth, Transparency, Justice and Our Land, Our Right, Our Responsibility. Demonstrators also rejected the Suspension of Operations agreement and demanded an end to the arrests of innocent villagers.
Students at Ramlal Paul Higher Secondary School in Keishamthong joined the push on Saturday. JFD Students Wing volunteer Md. Shahaj Khan noted that the government previously provided only verbal assurances. Khan said, "The assurance was made only verbally and that no official document has been issued in this regard." Students are now waiting for the government to act.
Comments