Extending the ongoing agitation of five civil society organisations, hundreds of women staged a protest demonstration at Waithou Bazar today, reiterating six demands including protection of Manipur’s territorial integrity, updation of NRC with 1951 as base year, and rejection of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls slated for 2026.
The protest was organised by Waithou Apunba Meira Paibi Lup and Waithou Educated Youth Association (WEYA) under the aegis of All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), All Manipur Women’s Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur (PLMPAM), Committee on Human Rights (COHR) and Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF).
Protesters said the state government must not conduct Census or SIR 2026 before a proper NRC exercise. They demanded time-bound resettlement of internally displaced persons who have been in relief camps since the May 2023 ethnic conflict.
The agitation comes after the Manipur Assembly discussed NRC and the Home Minister stated that 1951 would be pursued as the base year with the Centre, and after the Centre deferred Census 2027 houselisting operations in Manipur following similar protests in August-September.
Similar sit-ins were held yesterday at Lamphel Supermarket in Imphal and on Oct 24 at New Checkon urging invalidation of SIR 2026.
