ILP demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 20 2013: Notwithstanding the ongoing Manipur Legislative Assembly re-adopting a resolution on implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the State, a sit-in-demonstration was staged today at Keishampat Lairembi Laibung (community hall) to demand the same.

The demonstration was jointly organised by Leipak Kanba Ahallup (Leikallup) and Sanamahi Laining Kon Shanglen (Sanakon), Imphal.

Interacting with media persons, Leikallup president Nepram Bihari Nungkangba asserted that today's protest demonstration is a part of the ongoing movement for protection of the indigenous people of Manipur.

Noting rapid increase in the population of non-Manipuris and expressing serious concern that change in the demography had been diluting traditional identity and customary practices, Bihari said enacting a legislation has become inevitable to restrict entry of non-locals into the State.

Mooting that a detailed study on whether the non-locals are staying in Manipur to pursue academic interests or had come with business agenda would be helpful in understanding the influx trend, he claimed that there are 7 lakh non-Manipuris compared to only 8 lakhs indigenous people whereas 80 percent of the population in Jiribam are non-locals.

Highlighting that lifting of ILP system from manipur on November 18, 1950 by the then Chief Commissioner Himmat Singh sparked influx of outsiders into Manipur, Bihari called upon every section of the society to extend cooperation and join the ongoing spearheaded by Joint Committee on ILP system and the committee's student wing.

While States like Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh still have ILP system to protect their indigenous identity the Government of India reluctant to implement similar restrictive legislation amounts to discriminating the people of Manipur, said the Leikallup president.

Contrary to Manipuris staying/settled in major cities of the country for the past 10 to 20 years are deprived of basic facilities such as voter identity card and ration card, the same rights extended or entitled to non-locals suggest certain flaws in the present system.

Cautioning that any further delay in initiating appropriate measures would put Manipuris on the brink of extinction similar to the fate that befell upon the indigenous Tripuris in Tripura State, he desired that all the 60 MLAs of Manipur pursue the issue with the Central leaders in a more vigorous manner.

On the otherhand Sanakon president Pukhrambam Angamba Khuman prevailed upon the State legislators to justify their worth and commitment in protecting the indigenous identity of Manipuris rather than adopt resolutions in the Assembly and simply expect the Central leaders to deliver justice.

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