The closure was announced on the second day of a 48-hour general strike called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), which is pressing for the NRC to be updated before the Census is conducted in the state.
An order issued by the state Education Department stated, “In view of the prevailing law-and-order situation in the state, the Governor of Manipur declare the closure of all schools as may be affiliated to the Board of Secondary Education, the Council of Higher Secondary Education, the Central Board of Secondary Education or otherwise; colleges and higher education institutes incuding universities; falling under government, aided or unaided sectors, from August 20 to August 22.”
Protesters burnt effigies of politicians and took out rallies in different parts of Manipur’s valley districts as the agitation continued. The JFD has also announced a boycott of all government offices from Thursday as part of its ongoing agitation.
At Khurai Lamlong in Imphal East district, bandh supporters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Wednesday. They demanded that the Census not be conducted until internally displaced persons (IDPs) return to their native places.
Dozens of demonstrators also took out a rally at Singjamei in Imphal West district and marched for nearly 2 km to press for their demands.
Road blockades continued at several locations in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. Bandh supporters stopped private vehicles as well as security forces from proceeding and asked them to return.
A Census training programme for supervisors, enumerators and field trainers was also cancelled in Thoubal district, officials said.
With educational institutes shut from August 20 to August 22 and the JFD announcing a government office boycott from Thursday, the agitation has continued to disrupt normal activities across Manipur’s valley districts.
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