ILPS: Lack of official will
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: July 13 2015 -
The idea of bringing in a mechanism to check and curb massive influx of migrants and immigrants into Manipur was a felt necessity to safeguard the rights and privileges of indigenous people of the State.
While there seems to be adequate thoughts already put in while thrashing out spiky obstacles in bringing in a mechanism, there was a lack of required official will by the State authorities.
The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) spearheading the collective demand for implementation of ILPS had on number of occasions expressed concern on the possible social, economic and cultural impact if the Government fails to introduce the same.
While rejecting The Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill 2015, the JCILPS in a memorandum submitted to the Government demanded the withdrawal of the bill during the last Assembly Session which had been adjourned sine die.
The committee wanted the introduction of a fresh bill taking into consideration all the points raised so that the aspirations of the people could be fulfilled.
The JCILP felt the necessity of bringing in a mechanism where all migrants should obtain a permit or pass while entering Manipur stating the purpose of their visit and specified periods.
The committee also made it clear that all those migrants who came after 1951 should be put in the category of migrants and not settlers.
To implement the same, JCILP pointed out that the need to empower a full-fledged labour department to strictly register and regulate migrants besides introducing a mechanism to detect and deport illegal migrants and non-indigenous persons.
Now, the Government should be reminded that the intent of the mass movement for the introduction ILP system has been prompted by the dynamics of India’s failure to protect the interest of the people of the region despite the existence of similar mechanism in some States.
ILP as an off-shoot of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873, served the British Colonial power’s interest in the resource rich region.
The regulation was imposed to prevent those who encroached from establishing any commercial ventures. However, the renewed interest in the system has been based on the dynamics of post Independent India’s experience.
While assessing the merits of the introducing the system as envisaged by JCILPS, one should be reminded again of the nuanced contradictions of development mantra meant for Manipur vis-à-vis the fear of being swamped by migrant populations.
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