Imphal: Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Imphal on June 8 to demand the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the next national census. The rally, organized by 14 civil society groups under the banner 14 CSOs Kangleipak, drew a diverse crowd including students, artists, and internally displaced people. Participants marched from Tiddim Ground to THAU Ground, where they held a public meeting to voice concerns over illegal immigration and demographic shifts in the state.
Protesters displayed various signs to highlight their cause, with placards reading, "Only updation of NRC can save Manipur." The groups argue that the state requires unique consideration due to its international border with Myanmar and existing peace agreements. They contend that an updated registry is vital to ensure that future delimitation exercises accurately reflect the local population and protect the constitutional rights of indigenous communities.
Addressing the crowd, 14 CSOs Kangleipak convenor Shanta Nahakpam criticized the central government for allegedly ignoring Manipur while addressing demographic concerns in other parts of the country. He pushed for the inclusion of a state-level agency in the newly formed committee tasked with studying regional demographic changes. According to Nahakpam, local participation is essential to address issues like narco-trafficking and illegal migration that specifically impact the region.
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