ILP movement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 18 2020: 'The 23rd Anniversary Observance of ILP Movement in Kangleipak (Manipur), 2020' was observed at IPSA (International Peace and Social Advancement) office at Keishampat today.

H Ibotombi Khuman, advisor IPSA, Y Leirik Leima, president Kanglamei, RK Sanahanbi, president Kanglei Ima Lup (KIL), Joychandra Konthoujam, president IPSA, Ksh Somorendro, president IPAK and Soriaisam Sanjit, president ACOAMLUP attended the event as presidium members.

During the observance, the attendees remembered the struggles and efforts many organisations and people of the State took up to bring Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in Manipur.

As the unchecked and unregulated flow of migrants into the State had put the identity, culture and future of the indigenous people of Manipur at stake, many organisations and people started demanding the ILP System, said a statement of the observance committee.

It recalled that the "pass system" which was in force in Manipur was revoked after it became a Part-C State by the then Chief Commissioner Himmat Singh on November 18, 1950.In 1979-1980 there were mass movements initiated by both student organisations and people of the State to bring a system which would regulate the flow of migrants.

In 1989, a civil society organisation by the name "Poramlen Apunba" was formed to give fuel to the mass movement for ILP System.

Many organisations including the IPSA, FREINDS (Federation of Regional Indigenous Society), HERICOUN and others joined the movement and later formed the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) on July 4, 2012 .

Thereafter, with the cooperation and support of the public, JCILPS spearheaded the movement for implementation of the ELP system in the State, the statement said.

Soon, amid the growing public agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), the President of India on December 11, 2019 ordered the implementation of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 in Manipur.

Subsequently, the ILP System was officially enforced in the State from January 1, 2020, said the observance committee.

The committee thanked the people of the State and all organisations who supported the mass movement for successful implementation of the ILPS.

It also remembered all who were injured and lost lives in the decades-long movement.

The observance was jointly organised by IPSA, ACOAMLUP, PANDM, IPAK, Kanglamei, KTL, CLK and KSA.

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