Inner Line Permit system in Manipur

Samarjit Kambam *

Sit-in-protest at Imphal areas demanding implementation of ILP on 11 July 2012 :: Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam

The future of our State is at stake. We, the indigenous people of Manipur may be seeking asylum in our own state. Guys! Please give a second thought and see the unfolding of unwanted events lurking in the near future. We will be sidelined or we 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 outsiders continues. And please remember, this is impending and is already happening.

It is a very welcome development whereby indigenous people of Manipur become collectively conscious of the usefulness of implementation or re-implementation of Inner Line Permit for the first time with such great momentum. It is true to the bone that the influx of migrants or people from outside our state which we call "Mayans" is taking place at such a huge magnitude that the indigenous people of Manipur can be declared as 'endangered'.

Officially or not, the truest fact is that the number of outsiders has outnumbered the indigenous people of Manipur particularly the 'Meeteis' to a great extent. Thanks to FRIENDS for their whole-hearted effort in bringing up this issue of Inner Line Permit after a long slumber to the national mainstream through mass media and other means of communication (mention may be made of short documentaries on Inner Line Permit in tandem with Manipuri digital films). The advisor of FRIENDS, Mr KB Sharma's steps over the demand of implementation of Inner Line Permit in Manipur was a bold and heroic step.

I love my ancestors. They fought the Burmese; they fought the British even though Manipur was a small princely state during that time. In fact, their bravery is above reproach. But sometimes, I feel like cursing our ancestors. Our ancestors signed the "Annexation to India" accord and we are now being brought up with a step-motherly attitude by the Indian Union. Our ancestors kept mum when 'Ningthi Turel' was gifted to Burma by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India. Our ancestors were too good, too kind hearted. The result - Dzuko Valley is not ours anymore.

The Inner Line Permit was there during a time for the North Eastern States viz Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. But how come other states are still implementing and are void for Manipur. Our ancestors didn't know 'vote banks' played by dirty politicians for their own selfish means during that time. The outsides are their vote banks. While the politicians thought only for themselves during that time, our ancestors were ignorant about dirty politics. Now, we are bearing the brunt of the consequences.

It is a very unfortunate, pathetic and a foregone conclusion that the Bengalis have outnumbered the indigenous people of Tripura state. In the present scenario if our state i.e. Manipur goes in this trend, the same situation is on the card and is impending if swift action is not carried out for implementation or re-implementation of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur.

Otherwise Manipur will attain the status quo of what's happening in Tripura. In fact, our movement for implementation of ILP is almost too late. But there's still time and hope and in this hour keeping our hopes alive is of paramount importance. We the indigenous people of Manipur must rekindle our hopes and go for the battle till we win. There should be no turning back, no retreat; otherwise we will never attain our goal.

However late it may be, there is a silver lining that the indigenous people of Manipur are aware of and conscious and going for the goal collectively. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other social networking sites and platforms, the unison for striving towards a particular goal gets quicker and easier particularly amongst the youngsters.

It is really heartening that the demand for implementation or re-implementation of ILP has gained greater momentum with the Joint Committee PIL(Public Interest Litigation) as the support to the cause by all valley and hill district people and the feasibility of bringing up the issue as a Bill by the govt. However, even if the Bill was passed by the House, the Union Home Minister's objection of implementation of ILP in Manipur is a big let-down and de-motivating factor which will cause more stir and agitation at this crucial moment of crisis.

The main handicap on the part of the state govt is that ILP is a central issue and needs approval from the Centre. In fact, it is a very complicated matter for as per Indian constitution any citizen of India can go and settle in any part of the country. This complicacy has turned out to be a stumbling block in our movement.

Let's proceed on with our movement more vigorously than ever before. Our ancestors were even though simple and kind-hearted had very short vision. That's the reason for total economic control by the Mayans comprising of Biharis, Marwaris, Punjabis etc. Go to any part of bazaar area of Imphal be it Paona or Thangal Bazar, you'll see only Mayangs everywhere. All the shops are owned by them. They are deeply rooted in the very heart of Imphal city. In fact, they have ruled upon us in terms of economy, trading and business.

The prices of essential commodities are decided by them in connivance with some chameleon politicians and we are at their mercy. In fact we have become economic slaves. Its time to act before we become their physical slaves. Go to Dharamsala area at night after 10 p.m. all alone, you won't find a single Manipuri. See, how lowly we have become, living at the mercy and whims of the 'Mayangs' in the very heart of Imphal city. This is the core of our state, our Sanaleibak, our Meitrabak without any Meeteis. 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.

In the past, our state had its own passport system to regulate entry of outsiders, but it was abolished in 1950, Since then, there has been steady increase in influx of outsiders mostly as migrant workers. The resolution passed by the State Assembly to put pressure on the Govt of India to extend and adopt the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations 1973 is like the cover of an empty book. There is no assurance, no guarantee that ILP will be re-enacted in Manipur as this issue needs approval from the Centre.

So far, there is no reason to rejoice. As per Constitution of India, one can travel and settle anywhere throughout India. But a lot depends on our attitude. We must let the outsiders know that they are no more welcomed. It is time to show that we are more resourceful, talented and do not require their services. Let's awake from our lazy slumber and do the works which the outsiders have been doing in our own homeplace.

Why do we have to depend on them for our hair-cut, for repairing our shoes, for water-running for other manual works? Why should we let them build our houses when we have plenty of talented indigenous workers and labourers. Every work, be it manual or otherwise has its dignity. Let's not depend on outsiders for works which we ourselves can easily perform.

Now, the indigenous young bloods of Manipur are highly educated, more business oriented and enterprising. Lets stop sitting idle and begin a 'movement' by doing works by ourselves for "work is worship". Meanwhile the state government should try its best to enact our own law to prevent settlement of outsiders from Manipur (lest those who were born and brought up in Manipur). Let us i.e. the indigenous people of Manipur prevent ourselves from becoming 'history' before its too late.