The demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census is gaining momentum in Manipur, with students joining street protests while more legislators lend support to the signature campaign of the Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) Women’s Wing.
Students of Konsam Tomba and Sachi School, Khurai Laishram Leikai, Chairenthong, Imphal East, staged a protest demonstration demanding that the NRC be completed before the Census. Raising the slogan “No NRC, No Census,” the students added a new dimension to the growing campaign over the State’s demographic concerns.
Meanwhile, the JFD Women’s Wing’s signature campaign seeking implementation of the NRC before the Census has secured support from more members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Konthoujam MLA and Government of Manipur spokesperson Sapam Ranjan signed the campaign, expressing support for the demand. Nambol MLA Thounaojam Basanta Kumar and Lamsang MLA Sorokhaibam Rajen also signed the JFD Women’s Wing’s petition.
The campaign comes amid sustained demands from sections of civil society for an NRC exercise before the Census, with the JFD maintaining that demographic verification should precede the national population enumeration exercise.
With students now taking to the streets and legislators publicly signing the petition, the “No NRC, No Census” demand is emerging as a visible campaign in Manipur.