Manipur Schools Closed Till August 22 Amid NRC Protest (Img: X)
New Delhi: The Manipur government has announced the closure of all educational institutions across the state till August 22, citing the prevailing law and order situation.
According to an order issued by the Education Department, all government, aided and unaided schools, colleges, universities, and higher educational institutions will remain shut from August 20 to August 22.
The order covers institutions affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and other educational bodies.
The decision was taken after protests erupted in the state over the demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the upcoming Census exercise. The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has called a 48-hour general strike demanding that the NRC process be completed before the Census.
The protest affected normal life in several districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, and Bishnupur, with reports of road blockades and demonstrations.
During Wednesday’s protest, effigies of several political leaders, including Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, were reportedly burnt in different areas. The JFD has also called for a boycott of government offices across the state as part of its agitation.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said the state government supports the demand for NRC and that the Manipur Assembly has already passed a resolution on the issue and forwarded it to the Centre.
However, he appealed to protesters to avoid shutdowns and road blockades, stating that such actions impact students, daily wage workers, and ordinary citizens.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the security situation with senior officials, including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers, as authorities continue to monitor developments across the state.
