Naga students question 'rationality' of demanding ILP in Manipur Bills not relevant for all : ANSAM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05 2016: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has questioned the 'rationality' of demanding the Inner Line Permit (ILP) saying the Protection of Manipur People's (PMP) Bill, 2015 is not a relevant statute for all communities of the State.

"But we respect the movement spear headed by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) despite the 'lack of logic' in demanding ILP.

It has not helped much in respect of Nagaland lately," ANSAM president Seth Shatsang told Newmai News Network today.

He said, "The Meitei community is in fear of being overwhelmed by non-locals migrating from other parts of the country.

This is not going to happen at all.

There is no ground to support such things.

All indigenous communities will remain undefiled without ILP" .

The ANSAM leader, however, stated that more railways and Asian highways are coming up shortly in Manipur and that the State needs a certain regulation to protect its people but not necessarily PMP which he claimed is not applicable.

His comments came in the backdrop of increasing activities by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) which has imposed a 48-hour Statewide 'public curfew' beginning Thursday midnight to press for their demand to convert the three ILP Bills into Acts.

The Bills were passed by the Manipur Assembly on August 31, 2015 .

Shatsang said uncertainty is looming large concerning the President's assent required for converting the controversial Bills into Acts.

He insisted that the contents of the Bills are not 'qualified' in any way.

"The Acts should not be expected at all.

The Bills were forced to be passed in the State Assembly," he said.

While reiterating that the student body respects the ILP stir headed by JCILPS, he claimed that the State police often demand money from non-locals during such public movements.

"Money are usually taken from non-locals during such movement by the corrupt police who eventually allow them to enter and stay in the State," Shatsang claimed.

He said the Constitution allows all bonafide citizens of the country to move freely and stay anywhere they like.

"If JCILPS thinks Manipur is not part of India, they can impose restrictions on non-locals while entering the State," he added.

Shatsang expressed strong displeasure saying that the tribal communities were not consulted while preparing and passing the three ILP Bills following which nine tribal people were killed in Churachandpur.

"The Government is saying the Bills intends to safeguard the indigenous people.

But while justifying it, the State police are killing tribal people instead," he rued.

Meanwhile, Shatsang said the Nagas have their own distinct history and the neighbours should not oppose the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015."The peace settlement will benefit all neighbours of the Nagas.

No one is going to take away their land.

The Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis will have to live in their own land and nobody can snatch it away under any circumstances," he said.

He said the communities in Manipur need to strive for maintaining peaceful-coexistence as before and added that the Nagas have their own principle of living together with other communities in peace despite differences.

"We respect political aspirations, social foundations and histories of other communities.

The Nagas also need the same respect from them too.

We should always remain as good neighbours," Shatsang said.

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