Inner Line Permit System in Manipur – Our birthright

Samarjit Kambam *

Students rally at Singjamei - Yumnam Leikai on August 06 2014 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

'Unity in diversity' - a very beautiful clause has been the hallmark of India. This clause was scripted as a means of contemplating to other nations of the world that in a pluralistic, multi-religious, multi-lingual nation like ours, the cohesive existence among the various multi-ethno-cultural groups is a cakewalk. The very clause really digs hard to bring out the beauty to the fore that the identity, culture, land, language, script etc of the various indigenous and ethnic groups and communities in India is protected whereby the denizens of various states and union territories live together with love, peace and unity regardless of its diversity. But in reality its like the dark side of the moon.

It is more like a phantom clause bearing the deceptive meaning, 'Engulf them all'. The controversial remark by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat that Hindustan(India) is a Hindu nation and Hindutva is the identity of our nation bears testimony to that. India is like a big sea with diverse creatures where the big ones engulf the smaller ones. What an irony. Sometimes many questions emerge like, "Is Indian democracy a true democracy?".

India boasts as one of the largest democratic country in the world but in reality it is fiercer than a tyrannical rule. The very meaning of 'democracy' is not served right when democracy becomes the very tool to kill its own people. Manipur has been gifted with a draconian law known as Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958, a law deemed unfit to be included in the Constitution of a democratic nation.

Besides being a demonic act that gives special powers to the security forces to counter militancy and insurgency it is also a tool that acts as a 'leveller' to decrease the number of denizens of the region as much as possible with its 'license to kill' power on mere suspicion mingled with other kinds of activities such as fake encounter which the security forces carry out with full impunity so that the indigenous population of Manipur with Mongoloid features is pruned as much as possible with the strategic aim of mainland India of Aryan and Dravidian blood engulfing the miniscule population of the region.

As per Indian constitution, anybody can go and reside in any part of India. But for the north eastern region of India there is an exception. The Indian Constitution adopted from Irish has in its store various Acts for preserving the ethnic indigenous communities of India with Northeast in particular. It is a known fact that the states of Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh were equipped with Inner Line Permit System as per Eastern Bengal Frontier Act 1873 and the system was implemented in Manipur from 1947 to 1950 to control influx of Non-Manipuris from outside the state.

Such a system ensured identification, detection, registration and control of illegal immigration in Manipur. In 1948, the Government of India had officially approved retention of the permit system in Manipur but this permit system was abolished by Mr Himmat Singh, the then Chief Commissioner of Manipur on 18 Nov 1950. Since then, there has been unchecked influx of outsiders leading to unprecedented increase of immigrant population in Manipur.

The ILPS should not be mistaken as a tool for restricting entry of people from outside the state. It is a system to regulate and control the magnitude of huge influx to prevent the small ethnic population of Manipur from being engulfed. Nagaland is doing well with this system so do Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

A glaring example may be made of Tripura where the indigenous people of Tripura has been engulfed and drowned in the big sea of Bengali immigrants. Now the indigenous tribes of Tripura has almost become extinct. Same is the case with ethnic tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Now, we the Manipuris are next. In fact the marginalisation of the indigenous populace has already started in Manipur also. Realising this, many student and social organizations brought up the issue of ILPS before it is too late.

If this status quo prevails we, the indigenous people of Manipur may be seeking asylum in our own state. Please give a second thought by fast forwarding our in minds a few decades into the future. We can vividly see the unfolding of unwanted events. We will be sidelined or are sure to become refugees in our own state, or we may become an extinct group of people if the present trend of influx of outsider continues. And please bear in mind that this is not only impending but is already happening.

An unwanted and gross development may be cited of a village mainly constituted by Bangladeshi immigrants at Heingangthong area of Imphal-Pangei-Pukhao road. A decade or so ago, there were only paddy fields and vast agricultural lands. But due to a selfish minded politician of the constituency, the region adjoining Heingang was given settlement for the Bangladeshi immigrants as vote bank. Within a short period of time, once what was an open space has become a big village mostly of Bangladeshi origin and are still encroaching lands near hills, open spaces in whatever way they can.

They are even claiming that a temple which has been there for many years and is considered a sacred one for the people of Heingang is included in their territory. They had even tried to burn the temple but was saved by the indigenous people of Heingang and Kairang. After some years, they may even demand a separate Bangladeshi homeland if the influx is not controlled. Having no source of income they are relying on drug peddling and smuggling thereby posing a great threat to the growing up teenagers and youths by falling prey to drugs.

Many people outside the state consider the demand for ILPS as a racist movement. But in ground reality its not the case. It is demand of provision embedded in the Indian constitution which is our birthright, our privilege. Its quite different from prohibition or restricted area. This doesn't mean that non-Manipuris are not welcomed. It is just that a concrete and practical system is maintained to preserve the indigenous people from losing their identity as enshrined in the Indian constitution.

The condition will worsen when rail connectivity reaches Imphal. So it is high time that we go for the ILPS till the goal is achieved. The Sangai and Siroy Lily, one of the rarest flora and fauna found in Manipur only are endangered species and are on the verge of extinction if proper conservation steps are not taken. The same thing applies to the various ethnic groups co-existing in Manipur if ILPS is not implemented. We are endangered and on the verge of extinction.

The only solution is quick re-implementation of ILPS. The economy of the whole of Moreh town bordering Myanmar is under the control of Madrassis. Ziri town is in an identity potpourri. This bloodless population warfare against indigenous people of Manipuris is gradually progressing like a cancer. Go to any part of bazaar area of Imphal be it Paona or Thangal Bazar, you'll see only Mayans everywhere. I am not a racist, but it really pained me when they control the economy and determine the price of essential commodities at their whims in connivance with some chameleon politicians and highly corrupted bureaucrats and we are at their mercy. See, how lowly, pathetic and miserable we have become, living at the mercy and whims of the Mayanchas in the very heart of Imphal city, the core of our state. In fact we have become economic slaves.

Its time to act before we become their physical slaves. We, the indigenous people of Manipur must rekindle our hopes and go for the battle till we win. Let's hit when the iron is hot. There should be no turning back, no retreat, otherwise we will never attain our goal. In fact, our movement for implementation of ILPS is almost too late. But there's still time and hope and at his critical juncture keeping our hopes alive is of paramount importance. I am not being communal but when we look at the way things are turning up, I prefer to side with my own indigenous groups because we are threatened not only economically, but in our very existence. If this trend continues, we may be deprived even of our living space.

There is a provision in the Indian constitution to protect the indigenous people by the very government of the state as per Article 19(5) clause (a) and (b). The Chief Minister of Manipur makes bold statements and speaks tall promising the public that ILPS will be implemented at any cost and even mentioned the resignation of all 60 MLAs if they were not working on the issue but becomes less enthusiastic and half-hearted during all political party meetings. Its high time that the CM alongwith his flock of ministers do something concrete, push and pull hard to bring ILPS in Manipur before the indigenous people of Manipur becomes history.