Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19:
Stating that most of the political parties were persuaded to include implementation of Inner Line Permit System in their election manifestoes, the Inner Line Permit System Demand Committee said that it is looking forward to a Manipur State Legislative Assembly resolution whereby ILPS is enforced in the State as soon as the next Government is formed.
A statement issued by ILPS Demand Committee took grim note of the ever increasing populace of outsiders in the State.
The incessant influx of outsiders is not only overwhelming the indigenous population of Manipur but also threatening the very unique identity, culture and tradition of the Manipuris.
After the Inner Line Permit System was abolished in the State on November 18, 1950 by Chief Commissioner Himat Singh, the population of the State has been growing at the rate greater than 30 percent as compared to all India growth rate of 1.98 percent.
The staggering growth rate is almost wholly contributed by outsiders immigrating to the State after the ILP System was abolished in the State, observed the Committee.
Besides making up one-third of the population, big business men from outside the State have been in total control of all the essential commodities.
The situation has deteriorated to such a stage that most of the candidates of Assembly polls feel incapacitated to win elections with the blessings of these rich outsiders, it asserted.
As such, the elected representatives of Manipur are unable to speak or act against the interests of the monopolistic outsiders.
Saying that the people of Manipur are looking forward to the next Govt to enforce ILPS in the State, the Committee cautioned that failure to do so would impel the Committee and the people to act on their own to save the Manipuri nation for impending extinction.
Many social organisations has been urging to enforce ILPS in the State.