A protest rally organised in support of the demands raised by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) continued in Imphal today after protesters were reportedly denied an appointment with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand.
The rally began at Citizen Club, Soibam Leikai, with protesters demanding that the Census not be conducted before implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), that Census activities be deferred until internally displaced persons (IDPs) are rehabilitated in their respective homes, and that 1951 be adopted as the base year for the NRC.
The protesters later proceeded towards Konung Mamang Traffic Point, where security personnel reportedly detained some of the participants as the protesters sought a response from the Chief Minister on the JFD’s demands.
Tension escalated at the traffic point, with security forces firing tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Several protesters were reportedly injured during the confrontation.
Following the reported refusal of an appointment with the Chief Minister, the protesters remained at the site and continued their agitation, saying the movement would continue until an assurance was received from the Chief Minister. They also appealed to people from different areas to join and strengthen the ongoing agitation.
Women Wing JFD, Manipur Convenor Sumati Sougrakpam expressed dissatisfaction over the refusal, terming the Chief Minister’s decision not to meet the representatives and receive the memorandum unfortunate. She said the ongoing movement was aimed at safeguarding Manipur and urged the government to respond to the demands raised by the people.
