Thadou Inpi bats for BEFR
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 29 2016:
Thadou Inpi has today asserted that it backs the demand that the extension of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873 be implemented in the State.
In a statement, Thadou Inpi General Headquarters said that it support the reolutions taken by the Manipur State Assembly for the implementation of BEFR (Inner Line Permit System-ILPS) in 2012 and 2013 .
Asserting that the resolution taken in 2012 and 2013 by the Manipur State Assembly was subsequently submitted as a proposal to the Home Ministry, Government of India on August 3, 2012, the organisation said that it was the resultant effect of the united efforts of the hill and valley CSOs.
All the communities, including Thadou Inpi and other tribal communities worked together in the ILPS movement spearheaded by Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies (FRIENDS) from 2005 to 2013 and consultation meetings were held at the hill districts and in valley region, it said.
Widespread objections came when the State government passed the "Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill � 2015" (MRVT & MW Bill 2015) by brushing aside the proposal for adoption of BEFR, 1873 after the mass movement was overtaken by JCILPS.
Violence again erupted and nine people were killed at Churachandpur when the Manipur State Legislative Assembly passed three bills namely, the Manipur People's Protection Bill � 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Manipur Shops & Establishment (Second Amendment Bill � 2015) on August 31, 2015 and the tribal people termed it "anti-tribal", it further said.
Alleging that the tribal people were excluded from the ILPS movement, the organisation said that the rift between the hills and valley people was deepened by the passing of the three Bills and led to immense trust deficit between the hills and valley.
Further stating that the President of India withheld the Manipur People's Protection Bill � 2015, Thadou Inpi said that there is no guarantee that an assent will be given to any Bill by the President of India.
Maintaining that fighting for the protection of the indigenous people of the State is the bounden responsibility of all communities, Thadou Inpi opined that the wisest step for the Manipur Government at this juncture will be to urge the Government of India to extend the regulation to Manipur adding it will restore the mutual trust, love, unity and solidarity among all ethnic groups in Manipur.