Imphal’s NRC protest turned tense on Sunday after security forces used tear gas to disperse JFD demonstrators who refused to end their sit-in after being denied an appointment with the Chief Minister.
BY PC Bureau
September 27: Imphal witnessed a massive protest rally on Sunday demanding concrete steps towards updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1951 as the base year. The priotest turned violent after security forces used tear gas to disperse demonstrators who refused to leave the site after being denied an appointment with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
The rally, organised by the Campaign for Just and Fair (JFD), began at the Citizen Club in Wangkhei Khunou Soibam Leikai and proceeded towards Konung Mamang Traffic Point. Protesters were seeking a clear assurance from the state government on their demands, including the NRC and related issues.
The demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to Census activities until the NRC is fully implemented, deferment of Census work until internally displaced persons (IDPs) are rehabilitated in their original homes, and adoption of 1951 as the base year for updating the NRC.
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The protesters had sought an appointment with the Chief Minister to press their demands. However, when the meeting did not materialise, they continued their sit-in at the site instead of dispersing.
Security forces subsequently moved to clear the gathering and used tear gas, leading to clashes and reports of injuries among some protesters.
The protesters have accused the government of failing to provide a written assurance on the 1951 base year for the NRC exercise. The JFD has maintained that deferring the Census alone does not address its concerns and has demanded concrete action on the NRC question, particularly the adoption of 1951 as the base year.
The protesters have said the agitation would continue until the government provides a clear commitment and the demand for an NRC update based on the 1951 cut-off is translated into an official decision.
