In Brief
- Clash at Census Directorate: Demonstrators gathered at Porompat in Imphal East demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) prior to Census 2027 operations.
- Injuries Reported: Student organizers identified three injured members—Khangembam Pilot, Longjam Roja, and Angom Daisy—admitted to local hospitals. Police stated only one protester sustained minor injuries.
- Agitation Escalation: The JFD Students' Wing has vowed to intensify its campaign, organizing further protests, human chains, and torch rallies.
Agitation over the upcoming Census 2027 intensified in Manipur as members of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) Students' Wing clashed with security forces outside the Directorate of Census Operations at Porompat in Imphal East district. The demonstration erupted just ahead of the scheduled self-enumeration phase of Census 2027.
Tensions mounted when student protesters carrying "No NRC, No Census" placards attempted to enter the office premises and lock the main gate. Security personnel deployed tear gas shells to clear the area after warning the crowd to disperse. According to JFD student representative Somorjit Luwang, three protesters sustained injuries during the action, with one reported to be in critical condition. Police officials, however, maintained that only one demonstrator suffered minor injuries.
JFD Students' Wing convenor Naorem Wangamba reiterated that citizenship verification through the NRC must be conducted to identify illegal immigrants and safeguard the rights of the indigenous population before any census counts proceed. Following the incident, the organization announced plans to scale up agitation programs across the state.
Source: The Assam Tribune
