Migrants outnumber Meeteis; ILP demand to gain momentum
Sets July 11 deadline
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 27 2012:
The population of Non-Manipuris in Manipur has reached 7,40,488, which is much higher than the population of indigenous Meeteis excluding the Schedule Caste by 13,103 heads, according to the census report of 2011 .
Alarmed over the tremendous increase in the population of non-Manipuris (Mayangs), Federation of Regional Indigenous Society (FREINDS) has threatened to take resort to various sorts of intense agitations including bandhs, blockades and hunger strikes on a continuous basis if no definite decision for re-introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system is not taken in the ongoing state Assembly session by July 11 .
If the state Assembly resolves to re-implement ILP during the current Assembly session, FREINDS will organize a congratulatory function in honour of all the MLAs for four consecutive days, Sapamcha Jadumani, President FRIENDS said while speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a sit-in-protest staged at Keishampat Leirembi Laibung today.
Jadumani observed that the issue of ILP may be discussed on the floor of the House on July 10 or 11.However, if no positive resolution is taken, then all the National Highways passing through the state would be blocked from July 11 to 13 and it would be followed by a Manipur bandh for three days.
He also informed that Kakchingtabam Birahari, Advisor of FRIENDS, would start his fast unto death agitation from July 6 prior to propose tabling and discussion of the issue in the House.
Jadumani recalled that the issue of ILP was brought up for discussion in the House during the last session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Even though all the MLAs supported the motion, the Assembly could not take a definite resolution on re-implementation of ILP in the state as there was a PIL pending in the Court.
However, an application has already been sent to the Gauhati High Court for withdrawing of PIL on June 20 .
The FREINDS President pointed out that the population of Meeteis, excluding Schedule Caste, which was earlier claimed to be highest in the state has now been surpassed by the population of non-Manipuris (Mayangs) by 13,103 heads.
There are at present 7,40,488 non-Manipuris in accordance to the 2011 census report.
Tribals population has been recorded at 6,70,00 and that of the Meeteis at 7,51,208 .
Under such an alarming situation, if the House led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh approves re-implementation of ILP in the state, he would be hailed by the people of the state for centuries to come, Jadumani observed.
He also appealed to all the MLAs to think deeply as to why the necessity for re-implementation of ILP has arisen in the state and do the needful in the interest the indigenous people of the state.
The sit-in-protest was also attended by Leishemba Sanajaoba, the titular King of Manipur, people from different communities both from hills and plains and students.