Guwahati: A 48-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation over the demand to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census entered its second day on Wednesday, August 19, with protests continuing across several valley districts of Manipur.
Protesters blocked roads and set tyres and effigies on fire at multiple locations as part of the agitation. However, essential services, including medical services, press movement, water supply and electricity, were kept outside the scope of the road blockades.
At Khurai in Imphal East, protesters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam. They accused the state government of failing to take adequate steps to ensure that the NRC is updated before the Census.
The protesters said the government’s alleged failure to act had forced them to intensify their agitation. They maintained that updating the NRC before the Census was a legitimate demand backed by indigenous communities in the state.
A protester said the issue was linked to the future of the indigenous population and warned that failing to act could have long-term consequences because of what protesters described as the presence of illegal immigrants.
The strike has disrupted normal life in several parts of the valley, with blockades affecting vehicular movement. Protesters said even prominent individuals were being stopped from crossing the blockades, while vehicles linked to essential services were being allowed to pass.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has appealed to the organisers to call off the 48-hour strike and pursue other democratic forms of protest. He said the shutdown was affecting various sections of society, particularly daily wage workers who depend on their daily earnings.
Khemchand has also maintained that the state government supports the NRC and said several initiatives have already been taken in this regard.
Meanwhile, some NDA MLAs have travelled to Delhi to meet Central leaders and seek their intervention on the demand for updating the NRC before the Census.
The 48-hour strike is scheduled to continue, with further demonstrations and road blockades expected across the valley districts.