The campaign against conducting the Census in Manipur without first updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) gathered further momentum today, with sit-in protests and a poster campaign held in different parts of Imphal in support of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD).
A sit-in protest under the slogan “No NRC, No Census” was held at Pishum Keithel, jointly organised by five local clubs from Pishum Ningom Leirak, Oinam Leikai, Nongthongbam Leirak, Ngangom Leikai and Haobam Marak Kangjam Leikai.
Participants raised slogans opposing the proposed Census and backed the JFD’s demand for an NRC update before the population enumeration is conducted. Organisers said the protest was intended to draw public attention to their concerns over the Census and press the government to address the NRC demand first.
Meanwhile, the Singjamei Kendra Apunba Clubs (SKAC) launched a “No NRC, No Census” poster campaign across the Singjamei Assembly Constituency.
SKAC president Konjengbam Chingkham said the organisation opposed conducting the Census before updating the NRC. He said the campaign would continue at various locations to create public awareness about the demand.
Chingkham expressed concern that conducting the Census without first addressing questions surrounding illegal immigration could result in undocumented persons being included in population records.
The protests and campaign came amid growing opposition to Census-related activities in Manipur, with civil society organisations and local groups increasingly demanding that demographic verification through an NRC update precede the Census exercise.