Thoubal, March 23—Several youths of Heirok took to the streets, shouting slogans of “No NRC No Census” on Monday night in support of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation protest, which argues that the census cannot proceed without the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The protest, organized by the Youth of Heirok, began at 7:20 PM from the market of Heirok Part (II) and proceeded through Heirok Part (I), (II), and (III).
During the protest, youths carried numerous placards with slogans such as “No NRC No Census,” “No Free Movement No Census,” “No IDP Settlement No Census,” “Safe Life First, Black Topping Later,” “Ministers cannot be online, Government cannot be online,” and “War Exists, Postpone Census,” among others.
Regarding the protest, L. Risikanta, an active member of the Youth of Heirok, stated that the current protest by the youths of Heirok is a response to the government’s attempts to carry out the census amid the current situation in Manipur. He added that conducting a census without first enacting the NRC or similar acts is unacceptable. He also believes that the government’s attempt is aimed at suppressing indigenous communities by resettling illegal immigrants and proceeding with the census without addressing the concerns of the people.
He further warned that if a census is conducted without the NRC in Manipur, the youths of Heirok will proceed with more serious agitation. He also affirmed that the Youth of Heirok will support any form of protest organized by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation.
