14 CSOs Warn of Statewide Shutdown from August 9 if NRC Seminar Not Held Before Census
Imphal, August 2: A joint platform of 14 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Kangleipak has warned of a statewide total shutdown beginning from the midnight of August 9 if the Manipur government does not organise a seminar or workshop on the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census process begins.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the IPSA office in Keishampat, where the convenor of the joint forum, Santa Nahakpam, outlined the organisations’ demands and concerns regarding the proposed Census exercise.
According to the forum, the implementation of the NRC should only proceed after the government establishes the necessary pre-conditions through consultations with intellectuals, legal experts, and representatives of all communities in the state.
Santa Nahakpam alleged that the government has initiated preparations for the Census without first putting in place adequate safeguards to address concerns related to illegal immigration and the protection of indigenous communities.
The CSOs urged the state government to convene a meeting involving community representatives and experts and to finalise the NRC-related pre-conditions on or before August 8.
The joint forum warned that if the government fails to respond within the stipulated deadline, it will launch a statewide total shutdown from the midnight of August 9 as part of its protest.
However, the organisations clarified that the proposed bandh would be withdrawn if the government announces and agrees upon the NRC pre-conditions before the deadline.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions in Manipur over the implementation of the NRC and concerns raised by several civil society groups regarding the identification of illegal immigrants and the protection of the rights of indigenous communities.
