6 injured as Census protest erupts in Imphal

At least six persons, including five women, sustained injuries after police and security forces fired tear gas shells and stun grenades to disperse protesters in Imphal on Wednesday. The demonstration, spearheaded by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), demanded detection of illegal immigrants before the proposed Census exercise in Manipur.
The protest unfolded outside the historic Ima Keithel all-women market, where hundreds of women vendors joined the rally. As demonstrators attempted to march towards the Manipur Legislative Assembly, where the budget session was underway, they were intercepted by police backed by Central forces including RAF. The ensuing stand-off saw security personnel resorting to crowd-control measures, leaving six protesters injured. All were rushed to nearby hospitals and are reported to be out of danger.
JFD leaders condemned what they termed “excessive force” against peaceful protesters, reiterating their demand for suspension of census-related processes until a mechanism such as NRC (National Register of Citizens) is implemented with 1951 as the base year. “Conducting census without first identifying illegal immigrants will distort the demographic balance of the state,” a leader asserted.
Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) locked down the State Institute of Training at Takyel, where census training was being conducted, accusing the government of pushing forward the exercise despite public opposition.
Inside the Assembly, Chief Minister Y. Khemchand informed that the census in Manipur would be carried out only after a “special intensive revision” as directed by the Registrar General of India.
Opposition Congress member K. Meghachandra expressed concern over conducting census amid unrest, while Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam admitted that the exercise may not be feasible under prevailing circumstances.