Normal life came to a near standstill across the Imphal Valley in Manipur on Tuesday as a 48-hour general shutdown called to demand an update to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) disrupted transportation, commerce, and daily routines.
Origins and Schedule of the Shutdown
The stoppage was organized by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), which insists that the NRC must be updated in Manipur prior to the Census-2027 process. The protest officially commenced at midnight on Monday and is slated to run continuously until midnight on Wednesday.
Impact Across Districts and Protests
Streets wore a deserted look with shutters down on shops across Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Jiribam districts as supporters strictly enforced the closure. Activists blocked roadways at numerous spots, preventing the passage of automobiles, including vehicles carrying VIPs, medical professionals, government staff, and security personnel. Despite heavy rainfall during the evening hours, women activists and various protesters maintained their positions on the streets.
Clashes and Police Interventions
Law enforcement authorities noted that the shutdown remained largely peaceful overall, although isolated pockets experienced tension. In one specific instance, a security convoy allegedly deployed a mock bomb against demonstrators, injuring a woman. In another episode at Porompat in Imphal East, at least four female protesters sustained injuries during police action and were rushed to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for medical care.
Local Demonstrations and Highway Blockades
Within Kakching district, members affiliated with Apunba Nupi Lup alongside local youths staged protests at Ema Market and Lamkhai Keithel situated in Hiyanglam-Wabagai, halting vehicular movement including VIP convoys. Furthermore, civil society bodies, student organizations, Meira Paibis, and residents residing in Jiribam obstructed National Highway-37, effectively cutting off traffic along this vital corridor connecting Jiribam to Imphal.
Political Developments and Talks in Delhi
Meanwhile, former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh stated upon returning to Imphal that the central government is likely to take constructive steps concerning the demand for updating the NRC within the state. Singh had traveled to New Delhi alongside a delegation of legislators on Monday to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Briefing reporters about the discussions, Singh noted that the delegation apprised the Home Minister regarding the ongoing agitation, strikes, and overall situation surrounding the NRC. He added that talks also covered broader concerns such as demographic imbalances in the region, and expressed confidence that Shah's response to conducting the NRC ahead of the census was favorable.
