JCILPS mounts pressure on Government before Monday Assembly session
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 01 2015:
The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System on Sunday reiterated its appeal to the Government to pass a bill for curbing unabated inflow of migrants into the state during the ongoing Assembly session.
The committee staged a series of sit-in-protests in twin Imphal districts to mount pressure on the Government and further renewed its vows to re-launch intense agitations if the Bill is not tabled in the State Assembly on Monday.
Talking to reporters at a sit-in-protest held in front of its office at Nongmeibung, convener of the JCILPS H Ibotombi Khuman expressed dismay that despite initial indications that the bill will be tabled in the House, the Government has not made any move in this direction even after three of the five scheduled sittings are over.
The JCILPS had already announced that if the bill is not tabled on March 2, it will be boycotting the Assembly session, he stated and declared that in case of such eventuality, the committee will launch intense agitations in line with decisions made after consultations with the public.
Sunday's demonstration was supported and participated by members of the students' wing and women's wing of the committee and representatives of civil society organisations, Meira paibi groups and clubs.
Women vendors of Khwairamband Keithel also staged a sit-in-protest at Phaoibi Keithel on Sunday.
One of the demonstrators Mayengbam ongbi RK Radhesana asserted that the lackluster attitude of the Government in pushing the bill, undermining the longstanding demand of the people and official reluctance of the Government conveyed the messages that it lacks commitment for the protection of the indigenous communities.
She forewarned that Manipur will witness severe unrest if the bill is not introduced during the current session of the Assembly.
Similar protests were held at Kwakeithel Bazar, Singjamei Bazar, Naoremthong, and Temporary Market besides other areas.