Manipur Schools, Colleges Shut Till August 22 Over Law-and-Order Concerns

The Manipur government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions across the state from August 20 to August 22, citing the prevailing law-and-order situation amid protests over demands to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census exercise.

An order issued by the Education Department said the closure would cover schools affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education, Council of Higher Secondary Education and CBSE, besides colleges, universities and other higher-education institutions in government, aided and unaided sectors.

The decision came on the second day of a 48-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD). Protesters have been demanding that the NRC be updated before the Census is conducted in the state.

At Khurai Lamlong in Imphal East district, bandh supporters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam. Demonstrators also demanded that the Census be postponed until internally displaced persons (IDPs) are able to return to their native places.

In Imphal West, dozens of protesters took out a rally from Singjamei and marched nearly two kilometres while raising slogans in support of their demands.

Road blockades were reported at several locations in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. Protesters stopped private vehicles and, in some places, prevented security forces from proceeding, asking them to turn back.

The agitation has also affected preparations for the Census. Officials said a training programme for supervisors, enumerators and field trainers in Thoubal district was cancelled on Wednesday.

The JFD has further announced a boycott of government offices from Thursday, signalling that the agitation could intensify after the general strike ends.

The developments come against the backdrop of continuing concerns over delimitation, demographic changes and the status of displaced residents in Manipur. The protesters insist that these issues must be addressed before the Census process proceeds.