Tensions Run High in Manipur as Census Protests Turn Violent

Tensions Run High in Manipur as Census Protests Turn Violent

The northeastern state of Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023, leaving over 260 people dead and thousands rendered homeless. The situation took a turn for the worse on Sunday night, when a torchlight vigil demanding National Register of Citizens (NRC) updation before the census turned violent in Kakching district.

The protest march, which was attended by hundreds of villagers from Wabagai, Hiyanglam, and surrounding areas, was a show of opposition to the census exercise. The protesters, who were carrying torches and shouting slogans, marched for 3 kilometers, raising the slogan of 'No NRC, No Census'. They cited concerns for internally displaced persons (IDPs) as the reason for their opposition to the exercise.

As the rally proceeded towards the Kakching district headquarters, police intervened, stopping the protesters near the Keirak Dam area and asking them to return. However, the situation escalated, with some protesters resorting to stone-pelting, prompting the police to fire several tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. A few protesters sustained minor injuries, according to officials.

The census exercise has become a contentious issue in Manipur, with many fearing it could exacerbate existing tensions. The state has been plagued by ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis, which has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The situation in Kakching is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding this sensitive topic.

The question remains: can the census be conducted without sparking further chaos in Manipur? The answer, unfortunately, is not clear. The state government has been trying to reassure the public that the census exercise will be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner. However, the opposition from various groups, including the protesters in Kakching, suggests that the situation is far from resolved.

A History of Ethnic Violence

Manipur has a long history of ethnic violence, which has been fueled by tensions between different communities. The state has been plagued by violence between Meiteis and Kukis, which has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The violence has been exacerbated by the presence of armed groups, which have been involved in various forms of militancy.

The Role of the Census Exercise

The census exercise has become a contentious issue in Manipur, with many fearing it could exacerbate existing tensions. The exercise is seen as a threat to the identity and rights of various communities, which has led to opposition from various groups. The protesters in Kakching, who are demanding NRC updation before the census, are concerned that the exercise will lead to the exclusion of certain communities from the census.

The Way Forward

The situation in Kakching is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding the census exercise in Manipur. The state government has been trying to reassure the public that the exercise will be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner. However, the opposition from various groups suggests that the situation is far from resolved. The way forward is unclear, but one thing is certain: the census exercise will be a critical test of the state government's ability to manage the situation and ensure that the exercise is conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner.

Key Takeaways

• The census exercise has become a contentious issue in Manipur, with many fearing it could exacerbate existing tensions.
• The protesters in Kakching, who are demanding NRC updation before the census, are concerned that the exercise will lead to the exclusion of certain communities from the census.
• The situation in Kakching is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding the census exercise in Manipur.
• The state government has been trying to reassure the public that the census exercise will be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner.
• The opposition from various groups suggests that the situation is far from resolved.