In line with Cabinet stand, Assembly passes private member resolution on ILP
'Not ban on entry but on settlement'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 13 2012: A private member resolution moved jointly by Dr Ibohalbi, Th Shyamkumar and Th Biswajit to adopt a resolution on extending the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 to Manipur and insist the Centre on the same resolution was unanimously passed by the State Assembly today.

The private member resolution read as, 'that the Manipur Legislative Assembly passes a resolution to extend and adopt the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 with necessary changes in the point of details to the State of Manipur and to urge the Government of India to comply the same' .

Taking part in discussing the private member resolution, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the Government has been considering for the past two years on extending the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 to Manipur in view of its crucial importance.

The Government has this as a foremost duty, he added.

A sit-in-protest underway to demand the implementation of ILP

The same resolution was moved in the House twice in the past.

In 2008, the House skipped the issue as it would be subjudice in view of the PIL filed by Sapamcha Jadumani at Gauhati High Court.

The PIL was withdrawn on July 4 this year.

The Chief Minister went on to ask why the PIL was withdrawn after blaming him (CM) for misleading the House as well as the people of Manipur for not discussing the issue on ILPS because of the PIL.

Following withdrawal of the PIL, the issue was discussed repeatedly in the CLP and the Cabinet meetings and the State Cabinet has resolved to urge the Centre to extend the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 to Manipur too, said the Chief Minister.

Informing that an expert committee comprising of Retired Session Judge RK Manisana, Sapamcha Jadumani and others recommended lobbying with the competent authority, Ibobi stated that there would be no harm for the House to pass the private member resolution.

Reacting to the press statements made by different sections including BJP and CPI about ILPS, Ibobi dared both the parties to take responsibility for their respective high commands just as they have geared to lobby with the AICC high command.

If one was speaking about foreigners, they would be detected quite easily.

The Centre too would raise no objection when they are arrested or deported.

The Chief Minister questioned the ambiguities of statements like "non-Manipuris", "what would happen when railway line reaches Manipur" etc made in the context of ILPS.

"After all, we are Indians", Ibobi asserted.

Earlier raising the motion, Ibohalbi and Shyamkumar, referring to the population growth of non-indigenous people in Manipur between 1951 and 2011, pointed out that Manipur is facing a situation where it would be inhabited by a hybrid population and all the traditions and cultures of the indigenous people buried in the pages of history.

The demand for ILPS is not about ban on entry of non-Manipuris.

It is only about restricting their permanent settlement in the State, they clarified.

Shyamkumar proposed extension of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 to Manipur so that the indigenous cultures, traditions, heritage and languages can be preserved.

The discussion was also participated by Th Bishwajit, Samuel Raison, RK Imo and L Ibomcha.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Assembly Secretary informed that the second session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly has been adjourned sine die.