Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Manipur Delegation Seeks Delhi Intervention as NRC Protests Close Schools
People in Manipur disagree about how the Census and the National Register of Citizens should be carried out.
One group wants the citizen register completed before the Census and delimitation process.
Some Kuki organisations oppose this demand because they say it could label their whole community as illegal immigrants.
A 10-member delegation traveled to New Delhi to ask national leaders for talks.
The Manipur government closed educational institutions from August 20 to 23 because of safety concerns.
A 48-hour strike disrupted markets, transport and schools in five valley districts.
Clashes were reported between protesters and security forces in two districts.
The state government said it would ask the Centre to postpone the Census until the National Register of Citizens process is complete.
A 10-member Manipur delegation traveled to New Delhi to seek Centre-led discussions on the Census and National Register of Citizens issue.
The delegation wants citizen identification through the National Register of Citizens before the state’s pending delimitation exercise.
Manipur ordered schools, colleges and universities closed from August 20 to 23 because of law-and-order concerns.
The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation organized a 48-hour strike and called for further boycotts, sit-ins and torch rallies.
Markets, transport and education were disrupted across five valley districts, with clashes reported between protesters and security forces.
- Who
- A 10-member delegation of Manipur communities and civil society organisations, the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation, state authorities and opposing community organisations are involved.
- What
- The delegation is seeking Centre intervention on the Census and National Register of Citizens, while protests have disrupted services and prompted school closures.
- When
- The delegation left for New Delhi on Thursday; educational institutions were ordered closed from August 20 to 23, following a 48-hour strike.
- Where
- The protests affected Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal and Bishnupur; the delegation traveled to New Delhi.
- Why
- The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation wants the National Register of Citizens implemented before the Census and delimitation, while Kuki organisations oppose what they view as stigmatizing the community.
NRC Before Census
Concerns About Community Stigmatization
Order of the exercises
NRC Before Census
The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation and the Manipur government say the National Register of Citizens should come before the Census and the pending delimitation exercise.
Concerns About Community Stigmatization
Kuki organisations oppose the demand, accusing Meiteis of using it to portray their entire community as illegal immigrants.
Protest strategy
NRC Before Census
The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation says it will escalate through a boycott of government institutions, sit-ins and torch rallies to press its demands.
Concerns About Community Stigmatization
The delegation says it wants discussion and understanding with the Centre rather than confrontation.
- Delegation size
- 10 members representing communities and civil society organisations from Manipur
- Main request
- Dialogue with the Centre and completion of citizen identification through the National Register of Citizens before delimitation
- School closure
- Schools, colleges and universities were closed across Manipur from August 20 to 23
- Strike
- The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation called a 48-hour general strike
- Affected districts
- Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal and Bishnupur
- Administrative action
- Census enumerator, supervisor and field-trainer appointments were cancelled in Lilong and Imphal West
- State position
- Manipur said it would press the Centre to postpone the Census until the National Register of Citizens process is complete