Manipur: Six injured in protest against census without NRC

In Manipur, a protest organized by the civil society group Just Fair Delimitation (JFD) led to six individuals sustaining injuries as demonstrators clashed with police while opposing a census that excludes the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Hundreds of protesters marched towards the state assembly, voicing concerns that the census process could marginalize certain communities and undermine their representation. The NRC, which is intended to document all legal citizens in India, has been a contentious issue, particularly in the northeastern states where demographic changes and migration patterns have fueled fears among local populations. The protest underscores the growing discontent regarding government policies that many believe could disenfranchise indigenous groups. Authorities responded with force to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries and heightened tensions in the region, which has seen similar protests previously. As debates around the NRC and census continue, the situation in Manipur remains volatile, reflecting broader concerns about identity, citizenship, and representation in the state and beyond.