Imphal: Porompat Police Station in Manipur’s Imphal East summoned Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) convenor Jeetendra Ningombam on August 21 following a suo motu FIR over a 48-hour general strike demanding that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be updated before the national census.
Accompanied by 18 JFD members, Ningombam appeared at the police station. Imphal East Additional SP questioned him, while supporters and Ema Meira Paibis gathered outside the station in solidarity.
After leaving the police station, Ningombam acknowledged the FIR and said the police had sought his cooperation to maintain public order amid the prevailing situation in the region.
Defending the organisation’s campaign, Ningombam said any legal penalties or cases arising from the struggle belonged to the indigenous people of the state. He also said he would continue his advocacy for the people.
Porompat Police Station registered suo motu FIR No. 240(08)2026/PRT-PS on August 17 under Sections 189, 189(2), 191(2), 351(1), 351(2) and 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, citing potential disruptions to public life and governance.
The initial complaint was filed by Sub-Inspector Laishram Premjit Singh, while Sub-Inspector Md. Riyajuddin was assigned to lead the investigation. The FIR initially named anonymous “Members of JFD” rather than specific individuals.
The officer-in-charge of Porompat Police Station served a formal notice under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) on August 20, directing Ningombam to appear for questioning at 10:30 am on August 21.
The JFD organised a 48-hour general strike from midnight on August 17 to midnight on August 19, opposing census operations and the training of enumerators until the NRC is updated to identify illegal immigrants.
On the second day of the strike, August 19, protests intensified in several areas, with street demonstrations, road blockades and effigy burnings of the Manipur chief minister and home minister.