Symbolic torches of Meira Paibis light up Imphal night sky
ILPS demand decibel goes up, attains higher pitch
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2014 : The demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit System is steadily taking the form of a mass up- rising with the student commu-nity, civil society organisations and Meira Paibis coming together for the common goal.

With the ongoing Assembly session scheduled to come to an end tomorrow, Meira Paibis took out torch rallies in different localities of Imphal and greater Imphal area today.

With the symbolic torches in their hands, the Meira Paibis shouted different slogans demanding enforcement of ILPS in the State, protection of indigenous people and unconditional release of all the activists arrested in the course of the ongoing mass movement.

The torch rally taken out along Uripok-Kangchup road was blocked by police at the foot of BT Flyover bridge and the protesters were forced to turn back on the side of Cheirap Court.

A brief stand-off was seen at Chingamakha between Meira Paibis and police.

Meira Paibi activists taking out a protest rally demanding enforcement of ILPS in Manipur

Similar protest torch rallies were also seen at Tinsid oad, Thangjam Leikai and Ayang Palli road all heading toward Khurai Lamlong.

But a large team of Imphal East district police somehow persuaded the protesters to turn back.

Similar protest rallies were also seen at Khagempalli, New Cachar Road, Keisham-pat, Thangmeiband and also at the border town of Moreh.

A large number of police teams kept close vigil in all these areas.

But there is no report of any untoward incident.

The Government has already closed down all educa- tional institutions located in Imphal West and Imphal East districts since July 25 till July 28 apparently in a bid to thwart students' protest agitation.

The Students' Wing of JCILPS responded by imposing public curfew in all the Government offices the next day.

They asserted all the 60 MLAs of the State have failed to show their political will on the issue although the State Assembly had adopted resolutions twice in favour of implementing ILPS in the State.

One Meira Paibi activist claimed that the demand for ILPS implementation is legitimate as it is necessary for the protection of indigenous people of the State.

She also condemned the brutal police crack down on students in the course of the ongoing protest agitation.

The JCILPS asserted that either the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 may be extended to Manipur or an appropriate Bill may be introduced under Article 19(5) of the Constitution.

Pointing out that the ILPS is enforced in Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, the JCILPS questioned as to why the same regulation cannot be extended to Manipur.

The State Assembly adopted two resolutions in favour of enforcing ILPS in the State and the resolutions were endorsed by the State Cabinet.

Pressing for the same demand, JCILPS called 18 hours general strike which severely affected normal life in Manipur valley yesterday.