Manipur Defers Census Training Amid NRC Protests

The Government of Manipur deferred a training programme for Census 2027 enumerators and supervisors in the Imphal West district on August 20. The decision followed a 48-hour general strike and protests organized by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation, which demands the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify illegal immigrants before the census begins.

Protesters burnt effigies of politicians and boycotted government offices. The Council of Teachers' Associations reported that teachers serving as census staff faced humiliation and obstacles during training sessions. In response to the deteriorating law and order situation, the state Education Department closed all educational institutions for three days starting August 20.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met with a delegation of students from 10 schools and colleges on Thursday. During the meeting, Singh assured the students that the implementation of the NRC would be discussed during the state Assembly session beginning September 2. The students urged the government to prioritize the NRC and requested the reopening of educational institutions.