Normal life across Manipur’s valley districts was severely disrupted today as people extended widespread support to the 48-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), demanding that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be updated in the state before the Census.
The strike, which began at midnight yesterday and is scheduled to continue until midnight tomorrow, brought transport and commercial activity to a near standstill, with roads deserted and shops and business establishments remaining closed across large parts of the valley.
The shutdown was particularly significant as strike supporters blocked vehicular movement at multiple locations, affecting even the movement of VIP convoys, doctors, government employees and security personnel.
Despite heavy rain in the evening, protesters remained on the roads and continued enforcing the shutdown.
While the strike remained largely peaceful at most locations, tension was reported at some places. In one incident, a security forces convoy reportedly used a mock bomb against a group of strike supporters, resulting in injuries to a woman. Her identity was not immediately ascertained. In Porompat area of Imphal East district at least four women protestors sustain injury in police action. They have been identified as Bijeta from Top Khongnagmakhongm Laishram Sunita , Ksh Pramo of Kongpal and Pangambam Ranjita. All injured after security fired mock bomb and tear gas. They have been rushed at JNIMS hospital and are undergoing treatment. There are also report of some women injured in security forces action in Imphal west district.
In Kakching district, members of the Apunba Nupi Lup and local youth staged demonstrations at Ema Market and Lamkhai Keithel in Hiyanglam-Wabagai and prevented vehicular movement, including that of VIP vehicles.
Similar scenes were reported from several parts of Imphal and the valley, including Uripok, Tiddim Road, Mayai Lambi, Sagolband, Khurai, Lamlai, Heingang, Thangmeiband, Canchipur, Liwa Lambi, Keishamthong and Khundrakpam, where groups of strike supporters gathered from the early morning and enforced the shutdown.
The 48-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) across Manipur has also significantly affected normal life in Jiribam District.
The general strike began at midnight on August 17, with the JFD demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the conduct of the Census.
In support of the strike, civil society organisations, student bodies, Meira Paibis and peoples from different localities of Jiribam District blocked National Highway-37 (NH-37) in Jiribam, disrupting vehicular movement along the key highway which connected Jiribam – Imphal.
During the strike, markets, business establishments, schools, colleges and government offices remained closed. Normal activities came to a standstill, while the streets and major roads wore a deserted look as vehicular movement was largely disrupted.
Speaking to media persons, S. Sainik Singh, President of the Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN), Jiribam Branch, stated that the 48-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) is a legitimate demand.
He said that the people of Manipur are demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the commencement of the Census exercise in the State, clarifying that they are not opposed to the Census.
Sainik Singh appealed to people from all sections of society in Jiribam to extend their support and cooperate with the 48-hour general strike.
The widespread response to the strike comes amid growing public opposition to proceeding with the Census without first addressing the demand for an updated NRC in Manipur.
The JFD and other groups have maintained that an NRC must precede the Census to address concerns over alleged illegal immigration and demographic changes in the state.
The strike is set to continue until midnight on August 19.