Effigies of CM, HM torched
IMPHAL, AUG 19 (NPN): Amid the growing “No NRC, No Census” movement, Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla left Imphal today for New Delhi to brief Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the volatile situation in the state. Separately, a team of BJP MLAs led by K. Sarathkumar, general secretary of BJP Manipur Pradesh and convener of the party’s NRC and Census Committee, also rushed to the national capital to urge the Centre to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting the Census.
The team included MLAs Kh. Raghumani, Kh. Ibomcha, P. Brojen, and T. Robindro. Before his departure, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand held a detailed discussion at Lok Bhavan on the prevailing situation. The developments came amid overwhelming public support for the strike spearheaded by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD). On the second day of the 48‑hour general strike, large numbers of people joined rallies across the valley districts. Effigies of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam were torched at Khurai Lamlong Bazar, with protesters shouting slogans of “No NRC, No Census.” Roads were blocked, forcing even security vehicles to turn back.
Unlike the first day, which saw injuries in police action, no major untoward incident was reported today. Streets across Imphal and other valley districts wore a deserted look, with shops and businesses closed. Protesters also blocked highways, including NH‑2 at Singjamei and NH‑37 at Imphal‑Jiribam, where women stretched phaneks across the road. At a press meet, JFD convener Jeetendra Ningomba announced intensification of the agitation with a boycott of state and Central offices, excluding essential services. He appealed to MLAs to actively support the demand for NRC. Representatives of the Naga and Meitei Pangal communities pledged collective support.
Women activists under Imagee Meira led by Sujata Thockchom, warned of further agitation if the Census exercise was not deferred, dismissing the BJP MLAs’ Delhi visit as a “political gimmick.” The JFD reiterated that the government must address the NRC demand and suspend Census operations until internally displaced persons return to their native places.