Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Manipur NRC Torchlight Protest Turns Violent in Kakching
Hundreds marched nearly 3 kilometres in Kakching district on Sunday night demanding NRC updation before the Census.
Protesters from Wabagai, Hiyanglam and nearby areas raised the slogan “No NRC, No Census.”
Demonstrators opposed the Census before internally displaced people affected by ethnic violence were resettled.
Police stopped the march near Keirak Dam; stone-pelting followed, and officers fired tear gas shells.
A few protesters suffered minor injuries, while at least seven, including four women, were detained and later released.
- Who
- Hundreds of villagers from Wabagai, Hiyanglam and surrounding areas, police and security personnel, and the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation.
- What
- A torchlight protest demanding NRC updation before the Census became confrontational after stone-pelting and police use of tear gas.
- When
- Sunday night; officials and security sources reported details on Monday.
- Where
- Kakching district, Manipur, particularly near the Keirak Dam area; the march began near Wabagai-Hiyanglam Lamkhai Keithel.
- Why
- Protesters demanded that the NRC be updated and internally displaced people be resettled before any Census-related exercise.
Protesters and Campaign Organisers
Police and Government Authorities
Timing of the Census
Protesters and Campaign Organisers
Protesters and the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation demanded that the NRC be updated and internally displaced people rehabilitated before the Census exercise.
Police and Government Authorities
The government has not announced that the Census will be deferred; Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said bandhs and blockades would create more hardship and urged people to use other democratic forms of protest.
Handling of the March
Protesters and Campaign Organisers
The demonstrators sought to continue their march toward Kakching district headquarters after raising the slogan “No NRC, No Census.”
Police and Government Authorities
Police intercepted the march near Keirak Dam and asked the protesters to return.
Escalation and Response
Protesters and Campaign Organisers
Some protesters resorted to stone-pelting after the march was stopped, according to officials and security sources.
Police and Government Authorities
Police and security personnel responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd; several protesters were detained and later released.
- Location
- Kakching district, Manipur
- March distance
- Nearly 3 kilometres
- Participating areas
- Wabagai, Hiyanglam and surrounding areas
- Main demand
- Update the National Register of Citizens before the Census
- Additional demand
- Resettle internally displaced people before the exercise
- Police response
- Several tear gas shells were fired after stone-pelting
- Detentions
- At least seven protesters, including four women, were detained and later released
- Planned escalation
- The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation announced a possible 24-hour statewide general strike if its demands were not met
