Imphal: The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) has announced a boycott of State and Central government offices in Manipur from August 20, intensifying its campaign for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census.
The announcement came after the conclusion of a 48-hour general strike across the state, organised to oppose the continuation of Census-related activities without first completing the NRC updation process.
Speaking to the media at the WAL United Youths Club in Wangkhei, Imphal East, JFD convenor Jitendra Ningomba said the administration’s continued silence on pre-Census verification had prompted the organisation to move into a non-cooperation phase.
However, Ningomba said essential and emergency services would remain outside the scope of the boycott to minimise inconvenience to the public.
The exempted services include health and medical facilities, water supply, electricity maintenance, religious activities, educational institutions and the media.
The JFD has also called on the public to step up engagement with elected representatives and build pressure for action on its demand.
As part of the campaign, people have been urged to approach their respective MLAs from August 20 and seek their support for legislative measures to facilitate the NRC updation process.
The organisation has also announced evening and night-time torch rallies in different localities, calling for strong public participation to demonstrate support for its “No NRC, No Census” position.
The latest announcement comes amid continuing mobilisation by civil society groups and local organisations over demographic concerns in Manipur.
JFD leaders and supporting groups have argued that proceeding with Census and delimitation-related exercises without addressing their concerns could have long-term implications for the state’s demographic composition, particularly amid displacement caused by the ongoing crisis.
The government has yet to respond to the latest boycott announcement.