A protest by the Campaign for Just & Fair Delimitation (JFD) demanding identification of illegal immigrants and the implementation of an NRC-like mechanism before the national census was staged in Imphal on Wednesday. Demonstrators, including vendors from the Khwairamband Ima Market, gathered in large numbers and tried to march to the Manipur Legislative Assembly while the Assembly session was underway, but a heavy security deployment stopped them from advancing.
Organisers said the demonstration was prompted by the government’s decision to begin the census without first addressing long-standing calls to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and to identify those they describe as illegal immigrants in the state. By “NRC-like mechanism,” protesters referred to a registry process aimed at establishing citizenship status before population counting proceeds.
Speakers at the protest accused authorities of ignoring repeated appeals to postpone the census until alleged non-citizens who, they say, are blending with indigenous communities are identified. Protesters stressed that completing such an exercise, they argue, is essential to protect the political and social rights of indigenous people.
A protester said the public had elected representatives expecting them to safeguard indigenous interests and expressed frustration that census operations had begun despite warnings. “Despite repeated appeals, the process for the census has started, which is very unfortunate,” he said.
Demonstrators also voiced concern about what they called growing challenges from illegal immigration and urged the government to treat the issue seriously to preserve the trust of indigenous communities. They warned the agitation could escalate if authorities proceed with the census without addressing their demands.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/video/imphal-agitation-against-census-without-illegal-immigrant-identification-1357992-2026-03-11?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-11 13:29:00
