The Manipur government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions across the state from August 20 to 23, citing the prevailing law and order situation. The decision comes amid a 48-hour shutdown called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) over its demand that the Census be conducted only after the implementation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC).The closure covers schools, colleges, higher education institutions, and universities across the state. The government said the step was taken as a precautionary measure amid the ongoing agitation and concerns over disruption to normal activities.
Closure covers all schools, colleges and universities
According to the government order issued by the commissioner-cum-secretary, the closure applies to all schools affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur, and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), besides other institutions.The directive also extends to government, aided and unaided colleges, higher education institutions and universities.Commissioner of Education (School) Ningthoujam Geoffrey issued the order, directing officials to ensure that it reaches institutions under their respective jurisdictions. Deputy commissioners, zonal education officers and concerned directors have been asked to circulate the order and ensure compliance.The government has not treated the shutdown as a school-level disruption alone, with the order covering the entire education sector across the state.
JFD shutdown disrupts normal life in valley districts
The education shutdown comes as the 48-hour JFD protest continued to affect normal life in several valley districts on Wednesday.The Meitei group has been demanding that the Census exercise in Manipur be undertaken only after an NRC is completed. The organisation has argued that an NRC is necessary to identify undocumented migrants who it alleges entered the state from neighbouring countries after 1951.The demand has remained contentious, with Kuki organisations accusing Meitei groups of attempting to portray members of their community as undocumented immigrants.The issue has added another layer to the already sensitive political and ethnic situation in Manipur, where tensions between Meitei and Kuki communities have remained a major concern.
Census activities also face disruption
The agitation has directly affected preparations for the Census in the state. The student wing of the JFD has carried out protests in recent days, including the shutdown of the Directorate of Census Operations office in Imphal East.The group has also disrupted training centres where enumerators and supervisors involved in the Census exercise were being prepared for their duties.The latest government action indicates that the disruption has now extended to the administrative arrangements surrounding the Census.
Census training appointments cancelled
In a separate order issued on Wednesday, the government announced the cancellation of appointments related to Census training.Charge officer and Sub-Divisional Officer, Lilong, Imphal West, Moirangthem Priyaroshni Devi, stated that the appointments of supervisors, enumerators, and field trainers associated with the Census Training Programme stood cancelled.The move follows the disruption of training activities and comes against the backdrop of the ongoing JFD shutdown.
NRC demand remains a contentious issue
The demand for an NRC in Manipur is rooted in concerns among sections of the Meitei community over migration and demographic changes in the state. Meitei groups have sought identification of undocumented migrants who, according to their claims, settled in Manipur after 1951.The demand, however, has generated opposition from Kuki organisations, which have rejected the characterisation of their community members as illegal immigrants.Assam provides a contrasting precedent. The state’s NRC was updated in 2019 as part of an exercise aimed at identifying people who entered Assam after the stipulated cut-off date of March 25, 1971.In Manipur, the dispute over the timing and scope of an NRC has become closely linked with the proposed Census exercise, turning what is normally an administrative process into a politically sensitive issue.
Government keeps education sector closed amid uncertainty
The four-day closure means students across Manipur will remain away from classrooms from August 20 to 23. The order covers institutions across different management categories and educational boards, making it a statewide shutdown of the formal education system.The government’s decision highlights the extent to which the prevailing law and order situation has begun affecting routine public institutions. With protests continuing over the Census and NRC demand, authorities are closely watching developments to prevent further disruption.For students, teachers, and educational institutions, the immediate priority will be to await further directions from the authorities on the resumption of classes and any changes to academic schedules resulting from the closure.
