Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Manipur Students Lock Offices, Demand NRC Before Census
A student group in Manipur wants the government to update the National Register of Citizens before conducting the census.
The group says this would help protect the future of the state’s indigenous population.
Its members locked some government offices during their protest.
They had earlier called a 48-hour general strike, which disrupted life in Imphal Valley.
The census survey is planned to start on September 1.
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh said the state Assembly would discuss the NRC demand beginning September 2.
Some districts delayed or cancelled training for census workers.
Police questioned the group’s convenor about the strike, but he was not named in the FIR.
Another demonstration took place in Thoubal over appointments to the state waqf board.
The CJFD student wing locked several government offices in Manipur while demanding an NRC update before the census.
The month-long house-to-house census survey is scheduled to begin on September 1.
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh told protesting students the Assembly would discuss NRC implementation from September 2.
At least four districts deferred or cancelled training for personnel involved in the census exercise.
CJFD convenor Jeetendra Ningombam appeared before police over an FIR linked to the group’s 48-hour general strike.
- Who
- The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation student wing, its convenor Jeetendra Ningombam, government officials, and supporting civil society groups.
- What
- Students locked government offices and demanded an NRC update before the census.
- When
- The office-locking protest occurred on Friday; the census survey is scheduled to begin September 1, and the Assembly session begins September 2.
- Where
- Manipur, including districts such as Thoubal, Kakching, Imphal East, and the Imphal Valley.
- Why
- The CJFD says an NRC update is needed to secure the future of Manipur’s indigenous population.
CJFD and supporters
Government and census authorities
Census timing
CJFD and supporters
The CJFD, civil society organisations, and teacher associations want the census deferred until an NRC update is addressed.
Government and census authorities
The census house-to-house survey remains scheduled to begin on September 1, while the government has said the NRC issue will be discussed in the Assembly.
Protest methods
CJFD and supporters
The CJFD and supporters used a general strike, office boycott, and office lock-ins to press their demand.
Government and census authorities
Police summoned the CJFD convenor and asked for cooperation to prevent an escalation linked to the agitation.
Government position
CJFD and supporters
The protesters are seeking a firm NRC update before the census to protect the indigenous population’s future.
Government and census authorities
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh said the government supports the cause but indicated that implementation would be discussed during the Assembly session.
- Main demand
- An update of the National Register of Citizens before the census.
- Census schedule
- The month-long house-to-house survey is scheduled to begin on September 1.
- Protest schedule
- The CJFD called a general strike from August 17 to August 19 midnight, followed by a government-office boycott from August 20.
- Offices locked
- Three offices were locked in Thoubal district, one in Kakching district, and another in Imphal East.
- Government response
- Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh said the Assembly would discuss NRC implementation and that the government supports the cause.
- Census preparations
- At least four districts deferred or cancelled training programmes for census personnel.
- Police action
- CJFD convenor Jeetendra Ningombam was summoned over a suo motu FIR related to the general strike and appeared before Imphal East police.