Imphal: Students across Imphal took to the streets today to block the upcoming Census scheduled for August 17. Protest groups from Maharaja Bodhchandra College, Pritambara English School, Ratankumar Memorial School, and Regular English High School demanded an immediate update to the National Register of Citizens. They also insist the state must resettle internally displaced persons before any counting begins.
Demonstrators at MB College gathered at the school gate under the Students Wing of the JFD banner. They chanted slogans including No NRC, No Census and No IDP Settlement, No Census. MB College Students Union Finance Secretary Md. Parbeez claimed the government risks serious unrest if it pushes forward with the data collection before fixing the registry. Parbeez stated, "Conducting the Census without first updating the NRC could trigger serious unrest."
Protests spilled onto Tiddim Road as students from several secondary schools joined the movement. Nameirakpam Syndia of Pritambara English School argued the process is unacceptable while families and students remain stuck in relief camps. This wave of unrest follows a similar demonstration held by the JFD in Imphal yesterday. Students now plan to keep up the pressure until their demands for registry updates and resettlement are met.
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