Manipur schools, colleges to remain closed till August 22 amid protests

The Manipur government on August 20 announced the closure of all educational institutions across the state for three days. Citing the prevailing law-and-order situation, all schools and colleges will observe a holiday from August 20 to August 22.

The decision came amid protests in several valley districts on the second day of a 48-hour general strike called by the campaign for just and fair delimitation (JFD). The organisation is demanding an update of the national register of citizens (NRC) before the census exercise is conducted in the state.

The JFD has also announced a boycott of all government offices from August 21 as part of its ongoing agitation.

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CBSE, ICSE and state boards to remain closed

The order issued by the state Education Department includes all schools affiliated with the board of secondary education, council of higher secondary education, central board of secondary education or other boards. Even colleges and higher education institutions, including universities, will remain closed from August 20 to August 22.

The order applies to government, government-aided and unaided institutions.

At Khurai Lamlong in the Imphal East district, protesters 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.

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Dozens of protesters also took out a rally in Singjamei in Imphal West district and marched for nearly 2 km while raising their demands. Road blockades continued at several locations in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. Protesters stopped private vehicles and security forces from proceeding and asked them to turn back.

Officials said a census training programme for supervisors, enumerators and field trainers was also cancelled in the Thoubal district.

(With PTI inputs)