Imphal, August 18: Daily life in Manipur’s Imphal Valley faced significant disruption on Tuesday. A 48-hour general shutdown, called by the ‘Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation’ (JFD), received widespread support from the public. The JFD is demanding an update to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the 2027 census.
Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh returned to Imphal after meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. He stated that the central government would take positive steps regarding the NRC update in Manipur.
The shutdown, which began at midnight on Monday and is set to last until midnight on Wednesday, has severely impacted transportation, trade, and commercial activities. Roads were deserted, and shops remained closed across large parts of the Imphal Valley, which includes six districts: Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Jiribam.
Supporters and activists of the shutdown blocked vehicle movement in several locations, affecting the passage of VIP convoys, doctors, government employees, and security personnel. Despite heavy rain in the evening, protesters, including women, remained on the streets to enforce the shutdown.
A police officer reported that the strike was largely peaceful, although some areas experienced tension. In one incident, security forces allegedly used a mock bomb against a group of protesters, injuring a woman. In Porompat, Imphal East, at least four female demonstrators were injured during police action and were taken to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital.
In Kakching district, members of ‘Apunba Nupi Lup’ and local youth protested at the Ema Market in Hiyanglam-Wabagai and Lamkhai Keithel, blocking vehicle movement, including VIP cars. Civil society organizations, student groups, ‘Meira Paibis’, and residents of Jiribam blocked National Highway-37 (NH-37), disrupting traffic on this crucial route connecting Jiribam to Imphal.
Before returning to Imphal, Singh met with Shah in New Delhi along with other legislators. Singh informed the media, “We briefed the Home Minister about the NRC, the strike, and the situation surrounding the movement. I am confident that the Home Minister will take positive steps on this important issue.”
He added that various issues related to Manipur, including population imbalance, were discussed during the meeting. Singh noted that Shah’s stance on the demand for an NRC update before the census was positive.
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SCHE
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