Manipur Shuts Schools For 3 Days Amid Protests

The Manipur government has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges, and higher education institutions across the state from Thursday, August 20, to Saturday, August 22. This decision was made in response to the prevailing law-and-order situation in the state.

The closure applies to institutions affiliated with various boards, including the Board of Secondary Education, Council of Higher Secondary Education, and Central Board of Secondary Education. It also covers government, aided, and unaided colleges and universities.

The order was issued by the Education Department, citing the need to maintain law and order in the state. The department has directed all deputy commissioners, zonal education officers, and concerned directors to circulate the order among schools and educational institutions under their respective jurisdictions.

The protests in Manipur are being led by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), which is demanding the update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the ongoing census exercise. The JFD has staged torch rallies and demonstrative marches across the state, with protesters raising slogans against the census exercise until the NRC is updated and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are resettled.

The situation in Manipur has been tense, with protesters clashing with police and demanding that the government defer the census exercise. The state government has taken measures to maintain law and order, including deploying police personnel and setting up barricades to control the crowd.

The closure of schools and colleges is likely to affect thousands of students across the state. The Manipur government has not announced any alternative arrangements for the students, and it is unclear when the institutions will reopen.

The protests in Manipur are part of a larger movement demanding the update of the NRC and the resettlement of IDPs. The JFD has been leading the protests, which have gained momentum in recent days. The state government has been facing pressure to address the demands of the protesters, and the closure of schools and colleges is seen as a measure to prevent further escalation of the situation.

The NRC is a contentious issue in Manipur, with many residents demanding that it be updated to reflect the correct population of the state. The census exercise has also been a point of contention, with protesters arguing that it should not be conducted until the NRC is updated.

The situation in Manipur remains tense, and it is unclear how the situation will unfold in the coming days. The state government has appealed for calm and has assured the public that it is taking measures to maintain law and order.

In conclusion, the closure of schools and colleges in Manipur is a significant development in the ongoing protests over the NRC and census. The state government has taken measures to maintain law and order, but the situation remains tense. The protests are likely to continue, and it is unclear how the situation will unfold in the coming days.