The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has warned of intensified agitation if the Manipur Government fails to announce a decision on updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the Census.
Speaking in connection with the “No NRC, No Census” sit-in protest organised at NEMYO Complex, JFD Finance Secretary Sunil Karam said the people demanded that the government should first update the NRC before proceeding with the Census.
The sit-in protest was organised jointly by NEMYODA, SKACKL, YSSU, NEMWOVA, NMMLMPL, SMMLWWA and the Sagolband Nepra Menjor Meira Paibi in protest against the proposed Census.
Sunil Karam said that if the government failed to respond positively to the demand by August 31, the 24-hour statewide general strike announced from midnight of August 31 to September 1 would be followed by further agitation.
He said that from September 2 to September 7, when the Manipur Legislative Assembly is scheduled to hold its session, the people would continue to press the government to take a decision in the Assembly to halt the Census until the NRC is updated in the state.
He also appealed to the public to participate in a proposed march to the Manipur Legislative Assembly on September 7 and raise the demand of “No NRC, No Census”.
Sunil Karam warned that if the Assembly failed to respond to the people’s demand by September 7, an indefinite statewide general strike would begin from midnight that day, along with various forms of intensified agitation.
He said the responsibility for any untoward incident or damage arising from protests would rest with the government if it failed to address the people’s demands.
He further appealed to the people to participate in the agitation peacefully and in a disciplined manner.