Manipur: A massive protest is taking place in Imphal, Manipur, demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the establishment of a Population Commission.
After a few attempted to storm CM N Biren Singh’s residence and marched to the Raj Bhawan, the police had to resort to lathi charge.
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Student groups in the state have expressed concern about the unusual increase in population in hilly areas, the mushrooming of villages, the cultivation of poppy, and the encroachment on reserve forest areas.
According to student organisations, the influx of outsiders from both within and outside the country has had a significant impact on Manipur’s identity, culture, economy, administration, and environment.
They have urged officials to take steps to detect, remove, and deport illegal immigrants, particularly those from Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The student organisations have also asked the state government to put pressure on the federal government to implement the National Register of Citizenship in Manipur.
“We are not opposed to any community or religion, but we want to protect our land, environment, and indigenous communities from the negative effects of illegal settlements,” said a student body spokesperson. “We urge the authorities to evict and remove settlements in reserved forest areas, which are critical for flora and fauna protection.”
The student bodies have also raised concerns about the unnatural increase in population in hilly areas where the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act is in effect, posing a major threat to the state’s indigenous communities. They have called for the formation of a population commission as well as the implementation of the NRC to screen out outsiders.
