Train to Imphal : UCM demands regulation to protect indigenes from influx
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2022: The United Committee Manipur (UCM) has called upon all the 60 MLAs to take up necessary measures so as to protect the indigenous people of the State before outsiders in large numbers flood the State with the opening railway to Imphal.

UCM president Joy-chandra Konthoujam said this at a 'one day training programme on rejuvenation of farm economy and distribution of urea and Rabi crops' organised by UCM at Khumanthem Leikai today.

He added that under the Central Government's initiative, the Jiribam-Imphal railway line will be functional by December 2023 .

Adding that with the beginning of railway service to Imphal, the State will be flooded with outsiders, Joychandra also stressed on the need for a collective stand to protect the indegi-neous people of the land.

Train to Imphal : UCM demands regulation to protect indigenes from influx

All the 60 MLAs also need to come together to frame regulations and chalk out protective measures in order to safeguard the indigenes, he added.

Although ILP system has been implemented in the State, there are various loopholes due to lack of specific guidelines.

As such, the Government must frame a set of guidelines for effective implemen- tation of ILPS before the railway service to Imphal starts in December next year, he added.

The Government should also set-up ILP verification offices at all entry and exit points in the State, Joychandra said.

In his keynote address, UCM secretary general Ng Deba said Manipur used to be a self-sufficient Nation, but with time selfish businessmen controlled the supply of food in the State resulting in artificial food scarcity which led to Nupi Lan in 1939 and Chaklam Khongchat in 1967 .

The time has come for all the concerned citizens of the State to understand the root causes of such incidents and work together to prevent such incidents in future, he added.

Adding that monopoly over important businesses including essential commodities by outsiders coupled with the ever rising number of people who only care for money and don't care about the society has worsened the situation, Deba called upon the people to come together to solve the problem of flood, drought and unavailability of urea/fertilizer to increase agricultural productivity in the State.