Lamlong protests MRVT&MW; Bill
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24 2015: Raising strong objection to the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVT&MW) Bill 2015 which was passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly recently, a protest demon-stration was staged today at Lamlong Keithel under the aegis of the JCILPS.

Speaking to media persons, the protesters maintained that the MRVT&MW Bill 2015 does not address the main concerns of the indigenous people of Manipur.

The Government was hog-washing the public by passing the Bill in its present form.

There should be specific time period for an outsider to stay in the State and this must be mentioned when the Government issues permits to visitors/tenants.

By adopting 1951 as the base year, all non-Manipuris who came to Manipur after 1951 should be treated as outsiders and they should be given permits or sent back to their home States.

Lamlong protests MRVT&MW; Bill

Labour Department should be upgraded to the status of a major department and all migrant labourers should be registered with the department.

The migrant workers thus registered should be issued permits with clear speci- fications about the periods they would stay in Manipur.

The protesters also demanded resignation of 55 MLAs who according to them share no empathy with the common public concerns.

In case the Government and the 55 MLAs fail to mend their ways who are allegedly more concerned with the welfare of migrants rather than the indigenous people, intense mass agitation would be launched all over the State, they said.

One of the protesters lamented that the incumbent Government serves no purpose as it has already forfeited public confidence.

The State needs sincere leaders who are committed to the main concerns of the indigenous people.

It is highly despicable that the State Government has been acting mute and blind when outsiders have overwhelmed the indigenous people.

The protesters demanded immediate amendment of the MRVT&MW Bill 2015 and so that the amended Bill effectively addresses all the major concerns of indigenous people.

Meanwhile, JCILPS has sought sustained public support in all protest movements until an effective mechanism to regulate immigration into the State is put in place.

On the other hand, MPP president N Sovakiran remarked that the MRVT&MW Bill was indirectly supporting non-local people at the cost of the common aspirations of indigenous people.

He also suggested immediate amendment of the Bill before massive protest movement erupts.

The future of indigenous people hangs in balance because of the incessant influx of outsiders, he added.