Manipur protest turned tense and violent on Tuesday, August 18, as women demonstrating against census training at the Imphal East District Commissioner’s office clashed with security personnel amid heavy rainfall. A woman police personnel and a protester were injured during the confrontation, according to reports. The demonstration was linked to demands for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the upcoming Census.
Manipur protest escalates at Imphal East DC office
The Manipur protest began with women marching towards the Imphal East DC office, where census-related training was being conducted. Despite heavy rain, the demonstrators remained outside the government complex and raised slogans opposing the census process without an NRC update.
Among the slogans raised were “No NRC, No Census” and “No IDP Settlement, No Census”. The protesters reportedly sought to stop the training programme being held inside the premises.
The situation became tense when some protesters allegedly attempted to enter the DC complex. Security personnel moved to control the crowd, leading to a confrontation at the site.
Security forces use dispersal measures
During the Manipur protest, security forces reportedly used smoke or riot grenades to disperse the demonstrators after the situation escalated. A woman police personnel and a woman protester sustained injuries during the confrontation.
Another report said the clashes took place as dozens of women gathered at the DC office despite torrential rain. The demonstration was focused on stopping census training and pressing for NRC updation before the census exercise.
The injuries added to tensions surrounding the wider agitation across Manipur’s valley districts. The exact nature and severity of the injuries were not immediately clear from the available reports.
NRC demand drives wider Manipur protest
The immediate confrontation was part of a larger campaign over the timing of the census and the demand for an updated NRC in Manipur. The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has called a 48-hour general strike beginning from midnight on August 18.
The organisation is demanding that the NRC be updated before the Census-2027 exercise. The shutdown has affected normal life in several parts of the Imphal Valley, with reports of road blockades and disruptions to transport and commercial activity.
A protester told the media that conducting census training during the general strike was unfortunate. She also claimed that concerns about the census process were shared by some government employees involved in the training and by higher authorities.
Heavy rain fails to stop demonstrations
Heavy rainfall added another challenge as protesters continued their demonstration outside the government office. Despite difficult weather conditions, the crowd remained at the site and continued raising slogans.
The Manipur protest unfolded against the backdrop of broader public mobilisation across the valley. Supporters of the strike reportedly enforced road blockades at several locations, while shops and business establishments remained closed in many areas.
Although most of the demonstrations remained largely peaceful, incidents of tension and clashes were reported at some locations. The Indian Express reported that at least four women protesters were injured during police action in Porompat in Imphal East district.
Wider tensions over Census and NRC
The latest Manipur protest reflects continuing concerns among sections of the population about demographic changes, citizenship records and the treatment of internally displaced people.
Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh also said on August 18 that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had given a “positive response” to his demand for updating the NRC before the Census. Singh said he discussed the issue, along with the prevailing situation in Manipur, during a meeting with the Union home minister in New Delhi.
The developments have brought renewed attention to the political and administrative debate over the NRC and the timing of census preparations in the state.
Strike continues amid heightened tensions
The Manipur protest and related shutdown are expected to keep pressure on authorities as demonstrators continue demanding action on the NRC before the census exercise. The general strike is scheduled to continue until midnight on Wednesday, according to reports.
With security personnel deployed at sensitive locations and demonstrations continuing in parts of the valley, authorities face the challenge of maintaining public order while addressing concerns raised by protesters. The injuries reported at the Imphal East DC office have further highlighted the tensions surrounding the ongoing campaign.
The latest confrontation underlines how sensitive the NRC and census issues remain in Manipur. With the strike continuing and public demonstrations reported across the valley, further developments will depend on how authorities and protest groups respond to the demands and the growing tensions on the ground.
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