Imphal: Normal life across Manipur remained severely disrupted on Tuesday, September 1, as multiple shutdowns, strikes and blockades called by different community organisations brought commercial activity, education and transportation to a near standstill across the valley and hill districts.
The disruptions continued despite the Centre’s decision on August 31 to defer the Census exercise in the state. Various groups proceeded with their planned agitations, citing unresolved political and security concerns.
Also read: Centre defers Census in Manipur after Amit Shah reviews situation
In Imphal, women vendors at the historic Khwairamband Keithel and adjoining markets launched an indefinite work stoppage, effectively shutting down one of the state’s busiest commercial centres.
Public transport remained off the roads, while several highways were disrupted by protesters who reportedly used burning tyres and logs to block movement. Government offices recorded low attendance, while schools, colleges and private establishments remained closed.
Agitating groups, however, exempted essential services such as emergency medical care, ambulances, fire and rescue services and media personnel from the shutdowns.
The protests have largely centred on demands concerning the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Census, with Meitei and Naga organisations launching separate but parallel programmes under the broader call of “No NRC, No Census”.
The Meitei-led Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) began its 48-hour statewide general strike at midnight on August 31. The organisation decided to continue the agitation despite the Centre’s decision to defer the Census following a high-level meeting involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand.
The JFD said the deferment did not address its primary demand for updating the NRC with 1951 as the base year, which it says is necessary to identify undocumented immigrants. The group maintained that no concrete assurance had been provided on the demand.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) has called for an economic blockade in Naga-inhabited areas and directed Naga tribes and village authorities to prevent government officials from carrying out demographic or Census-related fieldwork.
The blockade has affected the movement of essential supplies towards Kuki-inhabited areas, with reports of disruptions to the transportation of food grains, fuel, cooking gas and medical supplies to places such as Kangpokpi. Commercial transport and civilian movement by Kuki-Zo residents along key routes, including NH-2, have also faced restrictions and heightened checks.
In the hill districts, another shutdown was enforced by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU). The Kuki-Zo apex body announced a 24-hour shutdown of National Highway 2, beginning at 5 am on September 1.
CoTU said the shutdown was in response to Monday’s deadly attack at Teikhang village, in which three civilians were killed and four others critically injured.
The organisation has accused rival armed groups, including the NSCN-IM and ZUF, of carrying out attacks on Kuki-Zo villages and has demanded the deployment of security forces in a neutral manner.
With multiple agitations operating simultaneously, movement of people and goods has been significantly affected across Manipur, deepening disruptions to daily life in both the valley and hill areas.