Manipur protest turns violent as Indian forces use tear gas in Imphal
Agitation adds to mounting tensions over Manipur’s future, sovereignty
Imphal: Tensions escalated in Manipur as Indian forces used tear gas to disperse protesters during a rally in Imphal demanding implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and adoption of 1951 as the base year for the citizens’ register.
The protest was organised under the aegis of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) and began at the Citizens’ Club in Wangkhei Khunou Soibam Leikai before proceeding towards Konung Mamang Traffic Point. The protesters sought an assurance from the state government on their demands and attempted to meet Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
The situation turned tense after the protesters were reportedly denied an appointment with the Chief Minister. Forces personnel stopped the gathering near the Palace Compound, and tear gas was subsequently fired to disperse the protesters. Several participants were reportedly injured during the action.
The protesters demanded that no Census exercise be conducted until the NRC is updated, that Census-related activities involving displaced people be deferred until their rehabilitation in their original homes, and that 1951 be formally adopted as the base year for the NRC. They said the agitation would continue until the government gives a clear written assurance on the demands.
The JFD has been pressing the issue for weeks. The Manipur Legislative Assembly has backed updating the NRC before the Census, while state Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said earlier this month that 1951 would be considered the base year and that the state government would pursue the matter with New Delhi. The minister also said the state government could not implement the NRC without approval from the Government of India.
The latest confrontation comes amid a broader political debate over Manipur’s constitutional and political future. On September 21, a statewide shutdown called by the National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM) challenged the 1949 merger agreement with India, with the outfit describing the merger as an alleged unlawful annexation of Manipur’s sovereignty.
The sovereignty issue has thus emerged alongside demands over citizenship verification, territorial integrity, rehabilitation of displaced people and political rights, adding another layer to Manipur’s prolonged unrest.
Meanwhile, the JFD has continued to mobilise sections of civil society and warned that its agitation will intensify unless the government provides concrete action on the NRC and Census demands.
