# Students intensify NRC demand ahead of census in Imphal protests

> Protests erupted in Manipur as students gathered outside the census office demanding the National Register of Citizens be implemented before the upcoming census exercise.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Manipur · **Published:** 2026-08-17 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/manipur/students-intensify-nrc-demand-ahead-of-census-in-imphal-protests-17564 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Manipur NRC, Imphal protests, Census 2027, Student agitation, Illegal immigrants

A fresh wave of protests broke out in Manipur on Sunday as student demonstrators gathered outside the Directorate of Census Operations in Imphal to press for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens prior to the nationwide census. The participants staged the demonstration to voice their strong opposition to conducting demographic exercises without first identifying undocumented migrants in the region.

## Police Intervention and Tear Gas Firing

Tensions escalated when members of the crowd attempted to breach the office premises, prompting security personnel to intervene. When several demonstrators tried to lock the main entrance gate, police deployed tear gas shells to disperse the gathering. Authorities reported that one protester sustained minor injuries during the security action.

## Evening Torch Rallies Across Imphal

As the evening progressed, the agitation widened with hundreds of participants from Imphal East and Imphal West joining a torchlight procession. Large groups, notably comprising women, marched through various sectors of Imphal carrying banners and chanting slogans in favour of executing the register before any enumeration begins.

## Blockades Near Key Government Landmarks

Security forces intercepted the marchers at Keisampat Junction in Imphal West, a strategic location situated less than one hundred metres away from the Lok Bhavan and the ruling party office. In addition to the march, demonstrators formed human chains along roadways at Naoremthong in Imphal West and Khurai Lamlong in Imphal East to reinforce their message.

## Concerns Regarding Indigenous Rights

Organisers and participants argued that proceeding with the census ahead of the NRC could inadvertently grant legitimate Indian citizenship status to illegal immigrants arriving from neighbouring territories. They cautioned that such an outcome would severely jeopardise the rights of indigenous populations and potentially marginalize them within their own homeland.

## Upcoming Census Schedule and Previous Disruption

The protests occurred right before the house-listing phase of Census 2027, which is scheduled to commence with self-enumeration on August 17, followed by the main listing exercise from September 1 to September 30. Earlier on Friday, members of the same student coalition disrupted an enumerator and supervisor training workshop at Moirang College in Bishnupur district, forcing attendees to leave by displaying placards reading No NRC, No Census.

## Leadership Standpoint on the Issue

Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation Students Wing convenor Naorem Wangamba stated that the group has consistently advocated for the citizenship verification process to weed out unauthorized settlers, expressing disappointment that authorities are advancing the census without addressing this core demand. He emphasized that establishing the register remains vital to safeguarding the interests of future generations.

## What this means for you
The developments carry specific implications for residents and administrative procedures:

- **Across India:** The protests highlight regional sensitivities regarding demographic exercises that may influence discussions around upcoming national administrative processes.
- **In Manipur:** Local commuters and residents in Imphal and surrounding districts may face traffic disruptions, heightened security checks, and temporary movement restrictions due to ongoing rallies.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What are the students demanding in Manipur?
Students are demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens before the upcoming census exercise in the state.

### 2. Where did the main protest take place?
The main protest took place outside the Directorate of Census Operations in Imphal and across various other areas of the city.

### 3. How did police respond to the demonstrators?
Police used tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators after some of them attempted to lock the main entrance gate.

### 4. When is the Census 2027 house-listing phase scheduled to begin?
The house-listing phase is scheduled to begin with self-enumeration on August 17, followed by the main exercise from September 1 to 30.

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