JCILPS points out 'loopholes' in ILP guidelines
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 02 2020: Alleging that the BEFR/ILPS guide-lines published by the State Government in the State Gazette on December 31 have many loopholes, like failure to properly define who are the indigenous people, native people and permanent residents of the State, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has labelled the BEFR/ILPS guidelines as incomplete and undesirable to both the co-mmittee and the people of the State.

The committee has also urged the State Government to issue a fresh Gazette notification at the earliest, after reviewing and rectifying the December 31 BEFR/ILPS guidelines.

JCILPS points out 'loopholes' in ILP guidelines

Addressing a press meet held at JCILPS office at Kwakeithel Konjeng Hazari Leikai today, its convener YK Dhiren stated that as the guidelines do not feature any clause or paragraph which defines the indigenous people and native people of the State in addition to the absence of cut off base year, it is totally useless and will be a non-effective regulation when it comes to curbing influx of illegal immigrants/migrants into the State.

"If important parts like the clauses/paragraphs which clearly define the indi- genous people of the State and the cut off base year are left out from the guidelines of the BEFR/ILPS, it would be meaningless to implement ILP in the State as it will not be able to regulate influx of illegal migrants and protect the indigenous people of the State as well as their lands", he claimed.

Dhiren further said that the long pending demand of the indigenous people in the State to implement a law/regulation for protecting their identity, culture, language, political rights, economy and lands etc, will not be fulfilled if the ILPS is implemented without any necessary fundamental points.

Noting that the BEFR/ILPS guidelines do not clearly define who are the permanent residents, Dhiren went on to contend that such vague points have raised doubts as to whether non-locals who have already entered Manipur before the implementation of ILPS, will be considered as permanent residents of the State.

Claiming that section 7 of the BEFR/ILPS clearly states that no land of the indigenous people can be purchased by non-native people, apart from restraining non-native people from utilizing the natural resources found in the areas where ILPS are being extended without the consent/permission of the State Govt concerned, the JCILPS convener reasoned that clearly defining who are the indigenous people, native people and permanent residents, will be mandatory while implementing BEFR/ILPS.

The State Govt needs to work with a strong political will and determination to curb the threat posed by the huge influx of illegal immigrants and it also needs to delve into every minute points which are required in framing the guidelines and implementing the same in the State.

ILPS will determine the fate of the indigenous people in the present and the future, he said stressing on the need for the State Govt to take the matter seriously.

Further asking the non-locals present in Manipur to obtain the necessary special category Inner Line Permit (ILP), regular ILP, temporary ILP and labour ILP at the earliest, Dhiren informed that JCILPS will launch drives from February 1 to check whether the non-locals possess the mandatory ILPs.

Strict actions will be taken up against those non-locals who do not possess the mandatory ILPs, as per the penalty provision given in BEFR/ILPS, he cautioned, while explaining that the penalty include 1 year jail term and Rs 1000 fine.

The JCILPS convener also appealed to the State Government and authorities concerned to issue ILP in a very systematic manner.

He also appealed to all concerned officials to work with utmost sincerity at the check points opened at various places of the State when it comes to enforcing ILPS.