Playing with the sentiment of the common man
- Imphal Times Editorial :: June 14 2016 -

Of the 3 Bills passed by the Manipur legislative Assembly on August 31 last year, the controversial one which makes two opponent groups, regarding the consideration of the baseline for considering who are Manipuri and who are not has been withhold assent by the President of India – the clause 2 of the Protection of the Manipur Peoples’ Bill, 2013, was previously the main issues that those voicing against the Bills are demanding for withdrawal of the three ILPS related Bills.

JAC formed against the passing of the anti-migrant Bills had reason to reject the content, as it has been rightly pointed out that if the so called base year for sorting out illegal influx is in 1951.

It is logical to have apprehension about the fate of the people inhabiting in hill areas where records were not properly maintained those days.

About the 2 other Bills passed by the state legislative Assembly on the same day, the all political party delegations, who had visited the Union Minister Rajnath Singh, had stated that those are being look to find a reasonable conclusion.

The words described are not easy for interpretation. As some are of the opinion that the two Bill – The MLR&LR Act (Seventh Amendment) Bills and The Manipur Shops and Establishment Act, are of the opinion that these two Bills will also not get assent of the president.

However, as far as the joint press statement of the All Political Party delegation is concerned, it has been stated that only 1 Bill has been withhold assent by the president but said that the other two are in its way to find a reasonable solution.

This indirectly meant that these two Bills have got green signal from the Union Home Minister. It is official procedure that the assent by president to any Bill is given on the advice of the central government.

Now both the anti –ILPS Bills agitators as well as the Pro ILPS agitators seems to have finally recovered the missing linked on the demand which is meant for the protection of all the indigenous people of the state.

The few misunderstanding can be sorted out once both the parties seat together. After all the Bill which contain the so called controversial part will have another chance to discussed in depth in the state Assembly as it has been sent back.

The differences have finally found a way to resolved here if the leaders of the all political party delegations openly take the development to both the agitators of two opposite side.

But seems like someone or say some vested interested influential personalities do not want to end the impasses between two groups of people.

It was in record that the issue for demand of passing the ILPS Bills reached to catastrophe after some few officers over acted causing the death of a student called Robinhood, in Imphal East.

Same way the death of 9 people in Churachandpur district headquarter in the so called police action is one reason that turned the agitators suborn. But solving these issues lies to the wisdom of those in the government however, till these days no effort is seen initiated from the side of the government.

The recent police excess in front of Manipur Bhawan Delhi, is also another reason to create the situation more complex.

Around 61 student protestors were lathi charged and detained in police station. Why? Why those political party leaders invited some representatives of those agitators to find out what is that they actually demanded.

The way the politicians including the chief Minister of Manipur is handling the issue reveals their interest towards the state.

Seems like leaders of almost all political party are trying to let this fighting game continues among the two groups to get advantage of their political party during election.

Now, the more surprising development is the press statement of NPF (MSU) which called the Bills passed in their presence as anti-tribal.

In its press statement it is stated that MLR&LR Act 1960 (7th amendment) Bills 2015 section 14A and 14 B which is to be inserted in the principle Bill is an attempt to transfer the land ownership of the tribals to State Govt which is against the existing laws under MLR&LR Act 1960 section 2 and section 158 of the Principle Bill, it said.

Shops and Establishment (2nd amendment) Bill 2015 is an anti tribal Bill as it is an attempt to grab the power from local authorities,

The question that Imphal Times want to put to the four NPF MLAs is that at which section amended or added to the Bills have violated or intrude the rights of tribal people as claimed. One among the four MLA is reported to have been from the Law background.

But it is a shame that he being LLB is misleading the people time and again saying that the MLR&LR (Seven Amendment) 2013 is anti tribal. As it is clear that nothing mention in this part of the act will be enforced to the area declared as scheduled area in the first part of the MLR&LR Act.

Amidst the game played by you people in politics we the common people are put in the frying pan.

When you leaders could have talk and settled everything you let those to call bandh, blockade, general strike, which never affect you but brings tears to all the common people living on hand to mouth.

This is not warning but don’t wait for people to pour their anger to you people playing with the sentiments of the people.