Imphal: Schools, colleges and higher education institutes across Manipur will remain closed for three days from August 20 amid protests over demands to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census exercise in the state.

The Manipur government announced the closure of all educational institutions from August 20 to August 22, citing the "prevailing law-and-order situation" in the state.

According to an order issued by the Education Department, the closure applies to schools affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education, Council of Higher Secondary Education, Central Board of Secondary Education and other boards, as well as colleges, universities and other higher education institutions. The order covers government, aided and unaided institutions.

What is happening in Manipur?

The closure comes as protests continued across 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 that the NRC be updated before the Census is conducted in Manipur. 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 on Wednesday, bandh supporters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam. Protesters also demanded that the Census should not be conducted until internally displaced persons (IDPs) return to their native places.

In Imphal West, dozens of demonstrators marched for nearly 2 km from Singjamei as part of the protests.

Road blockades were also reported 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.

The unrest has also affected preparations for the Census. A training programme for supervisors, enumerators and field trainers scheduled in Thoubal district was cancelled, officials said.

With PTI inputs