The Manipur government has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and higher education institutions across the state from Thursday to Saturday, citing the prevailing law-and-order situation.
According to an order issued by the Education Department on Wednesday, the closure will cover schools affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education, Council of Higher Secondary Education, Central Board of Secondary Education and other boards, as well as government, aided and unaided colleges and universities.
The order stated, “In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to 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 including universities; falling under government, aided or unaided sectors, from Thursday, the 20th of August, 2026 to Saturday, the 22nd of August, 2026.”
The Education Department directed all deputy commissioners, zonal education officers and concerned directors to circulate the order among schools and educational institutions under their respective jurisdictions.
The order was issued by Ningthoujam Geoffrey, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Manipur Government’s School Education, Higher & Technical Education, Adult Education and SCERT departments.
The closure comes amid heightened tensions in the state over demands linked to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the ongoing Census exercise.
On Sunday, the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) intensified protests across key areas of Manipur, demanding that the NRC be updated before the Census exercise proceeds.
As part of the agitation, torch rallies were held at several locations across the state on Sunday night. Demonstrative marches were also held along the Uripok-Kangchup Road, Tiddim Road, Kongba Road and Khurai-Lamlong following the JFD’s appeal to people to march to Deputy Commissioner offices and urge the government to defer the Census exercise.
Protesters raised slogans opposing the Census until the NRC is updated and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are resettled.
The decision to intensify the agitation followed consultations with leaders of several organisations, including Meira Paibi groups.
Police deployed additional security measures in the affected areas to prevent any untoward incidents during the torch rallies.
The JFD has called for the NRC to be updated before the Census is conducted.
-Ani
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