Imphal, Aug 20: The Manipur Government has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and higher educational institutions across the State from August 20 to 22, citing the prevailing law and order situation amid intensifying agitation over the demand for conducting the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise before the Census. The order was issued by the Education Department on August 19 under Order No.

1/18/2026-COMM(EDS). It covers all schools affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur, the Central Board of Secondary Education and other boards, besides colleges and higher education institutions, including universities, irrespective of whether they are government, aided or unaided.

The government decision came as the 48-hour general strike called by the Just Fair Delimitation (JFD) was nearing its conclusion on Wednesday night. The move followed concerns over possible student participation in further protests as the agitation enters a new phase.

Student participation had been witnessed ahead of the general strike, with students from several educational institutions in Imphal joining rallies and demonstrations over the demand. Students from TG Higher Secondary School, Johnstone Higher Secondary School, CC Higher Secondary School and Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School, among others, were seen taking part in the protests.

Educational institutions had remained closed during the two-day strike. With the strike scheduled to end at midnight on Wednesday, the State Government subsequently ordered a three-day closure from Thursday to Saturday as a precautionary measure amid apprehension over further mobilisation.

The official order states that the closure has been imposed in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State. Night clashes at New CheckonMeanwhile, tension escalated at New Checkon in Imphal East on Wednesday night, where protesters and police clashed during the heightened agitation.

The confrontation continued until around midnight, with police resorting to tear gas and stun guns after protesters allegedly damaged public property. The protesters involved in the night-time clashes were not students.

The confrontation largely involved protesters and miscreant elements amid the volatile situation following the general strike. The clashes came in the final hours of the JFD's 48-hour strike, which was called to press the demand for conducting the NRC before the Census.