Hundreds of Imas (women vendors) from Khwairamband Ima Keithel (Ima market) took out a rally from Kwairamband Keithel, BT Road towards CM Bungalow after a meeting was convened at the Keithel, demanding the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) and safeguard the indigenous people of the state.
The protest was carried out by six student bodies (KSA, DESAM, AIMS, MSF, SUK) and several women vendors of the Ima market. However, police intercepted the protesters and they had to take a U-turn.
Later, they again gathered at Ima Keithel and chanted slogans demanding NRC implementation. The protesters confronted the police for some time but later returned to Khwairamband Keithel where they conducted a public meeting.
Speaking to media, Keithel Nupi Lup general secretary Laishram Mema said that Keithel women vendors who are also mothers of the students cannot stay silent when the students are out in the street demanding NRC to protect the future of Manipur. She said that outsiders have today controlled the market of the Khwairamband Keithel and the demand for NRC by the student bodies will be supported by the Khwairamband Keithel vendors’ ladies. She demanded the government to immediately implement the NRC in Manipur.
Coordinator of the six student bodies, Salam Open, said they will continue to stage various forms of protest until the government implements the NRC in the state. He said that illegal immigrants have started settling inside the reserved forest premises and at other forest areas of the state threatening the survival of the indigenous people of the state.
Mention may be made that representatives of seven student organisations of Manipur- All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK) and Apunba Ireipakki Maheriroi Sinpanglup (AIMS) had staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding implementation of National Register of Citizenship (NRC) in Manipur on March 20.
Moreover, the Manipur Legislative Assembly had, in 2022, adopted a resolution to establish a state population commission and also to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
