Private Member Resolution on ILP passed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 13 2012: In consonance with the public demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit system regulate inflow of 'outsiders', the State Assembly today passed a resolution to put pressure on the government of India to 'extend and adopt the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1973 with necessary changes in the point of details to the state of Manipur' .

The resolution was unanimously adopted by the House after discussing a Private Member Resolution jointly moved by three Opposition MLAs, namely Dr I Ibohalbi, Th Shyamkumar and Th Bishwajit.

Moving the motion of Private Member Resolution, Dr I Ibohalbi, who is the Leader of Trinamool Congress Legislature Wing, said that the motion is being moved in the interest of the public to protect the tradition, culture and identity of the indigenous people and called upon all the Members to support.

He recalled that after the end of monarchy, Manipur even drafted its own constitution in 1947 and the first democratic election was held on June 19, 1948 .

At that time, the state has its own passport system to regulate entry of outsiders.

But after the merger of Manipur with India in 1949, the then Commissioner Himmat abolished the said passport system on November 18, 1950 .

Student activists cheering over announcement of passing a Private Member resolution on ILP

After that there has been steady increased in the number of outsiders.

In accordance to the census report of 1951, the population of the outsider was 12 percent of the total population.

It increased to 35 percent in 1958 census.

But by 2001 census report, the number of outsiders reached 7,04,048 .

As a consequence, there has dilution in the culture of the native people and the threat posed to the identity of smaller communities is quite apparent.

The MLA also cited the instances of Tripuris and Sikkimeses who have been reduced to minorities in their own states following unregulated flow of outsiders.

To prevent such a situation, some organizations like AMSU had launched agitation over foreigner issue in the past and by 1980, the demand for re-introduction of Inner Line Permit system to check influx of outsiders has gained momentum.

The demand was taken up for discussion by the then MLAs O Joy and N Mangi during the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Chief Minister had given the assurance of looking into the matter.

When O Joy moved a Private Member Resolution in this regard, the House had maintained it would be sub-judicial to take up the matter as there was a case pending in the court.

But today, there is no case in the court, Dr Ibohalbi noted.

He further observed that it would not be wise to ignore the issue of influx of a large number of Bangladeshi in Jiribam.

In the heart of Imphal itself, Chamber of Commerce has been converted into a dharmashalla of the outsiders, who even decide the price of the goods in the market.

So, there is apprehension that they would finally take over the administration as well.

As the second mover of the motion, MLA Th Shyamkimar observed that every Member in the House may also be having the same sentiment over the issue and so it would be appropriate to make an effort to protect the interest of the indigenous people.

MLA Th Bishwajit also maintained that Private Member Resolution was being moved in the interest of the people so that the House can adopt a collection resolution.

Participating in the discussion, MLA L Ibomcha of NCP explained that introduction of Inner Line Permit system does not meant to stop entry of outsiders but to regulate their entry along with issuing permit.

This way, the state can also generate revenue.

MLA Samuel Risom also participated in the discussion.

In response to the discussion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh contended that the state government has been very serious over the issue.

However, the Private Member Resolution moved by O Joy and Mangi too had been taken up for discussion.

However, no definite decision could be arrived at after one Jadumani filed a case in the court.

Subsequently, after the case was withdrawn on July 4, the State Cabinet took a decision yesterday.

So, MLAs from the side of Ruling would be objecting to passing of the Private Member Resolution.

The Chief Minister went on to say that since introduction of ILP is beyond the purview of the state, there is the need to exert pressure on the Centre.

Even though the Centre was opposed to withdrawal of Disturbed Area Act from whole of Manipur, the state government has lifted it from seven Assembly segments in public interest.

So, BJP and CPI should not be saying anything that come to their mind nor run away from the issue.

They should blame the Centre.

The State government is also trying its best to enact own law to prevent settlement of outsiders in Manipur, the Chief Minister added.