Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Manipur CM Opposes NRC Bandh, Citing Hardship for Residents
Manipur’s chief minister asked people not to join a planned one-day shutdown.
The shutdown was called to demand a National Register of Citizens, or NRC, for the state.
It was scheduled to begin at midnight on August 31.
The chief minister said shutdowns make life harder for people who need to work every day.
He especially mentioned daily-wage workers and women who sell vegetables.
He also said students lose time in their normal school activities.
Singh warned that protests can sometimes become violent and said lawbreakers would face strict action.
He said officials were discussing the state’s issues with leaders in New Delhi.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh urged people not to observe bandhs or road blockades over the NRC demand.
The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation called a 24-hour bandh from midnight on August 31.
Singh said shutdowns harm daily-wage earners, women vegetable sellers and students.
He warned that such protests can create chaos and sometimes lead to violence, promising stringent action against law violators.
Singh said the Centre and state government were committed to addressing people’s aspirations and noted resumed bus services to Dimapur and Guwahati.
- Who
- Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation, which called the shutdown.
- What
- A dispute over a 24-hour bandh demanding implementation of the National Register of Citizens in Manipur.
- When
- The bandh was scheduled from midnight on August 31; Singh made his appeal on Sunday, August 30.
- Where
- Manipur, with Singh travelling to New Delhi to discuss the state’s issues with central leaders.
- Why
- The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation called the bandh to press for the NRC ahead of the census exercise in Manipur; Singh opposed it because he said shutdowns cause hardship and can lead to violence.
Government Position
NRC Campaign Position
Whether to hold the shutdown
Government Position
Singh said bandhs and road blockades do not resolve issues and create hardship, particularly for workers, students and vegetable sellers.
NRC Campaign Position
The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation called the 24-hour bandh to press for the NRC ahead of the census exercise.
Approach to the NRC demand
Government Position
Singh said the state government and the Centre were committed to fulfilling the aspirations of Manipur’s people and said he would discuss ongoing issues with central leaders.
NRC Campaign Position
Leaders of 14 civil society organisations and a delegation of MLAs campaigned in New Delhi to press central leaders and officials for NRC implementation.
Public-order concerns
Government Position
Singh warned that protests can create chaos and sometimes lead to violence, and said stringent action would be taken against law violators.
NRC Campaign Position
The articles report the campaign’s shutdown call but do not state a separate response from its organisers to the chief minister’s warning.
- Chief minister
- Y Khemchand Singh
- Shutdown duration
- 24 hours
- Scheduled start
- Midnight on August 31
- Organiser
- Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation
- Main demand
- Implementation of the National Register of Citizens in Manipur
- Affected groups cited
- Daily-wage earners, students and women vegetable sellers
- Transport update
- Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati bus services resumed after more than three years
