ILPS stir moves forward
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10, 2014:
The demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur has accelerated with a number of sit-in-protests including protest meetings held today across the valley of the State.
Shopkeepers of International Market at Paona Bazaar numbering around 300 organised a sit-in-protest in front of their shops in support of ILPS demand in the State of Manipur.
The protest started in the morning at 10 and concluded at 4 pm.
During the sit-in-protest, one of the protesters S Nandi Devi expressed that implementation of ILPS in Manipur is essential for indigenous populace residing in the State.
So, Government of Manipur should endeavour to implement it with all efforts.
One such protest was also organised by Pishum Ningom Leirak Meira Paibi and Yaipha Lamjing Lup Club at Pishum Community hall and the protest started at 9 am and concluded at 4:30 pm.
Another sit-in-protest was also held at Kwakeithel Leimakhujam Leikai under the aegis of the Social Welfare Union and local Meira Paibis from 11 am to 4 pm.
In the mean time, the Nambol Naorem Meira Paibi Apunba along with youth clubs of the area today organised sit-in-protest at Nambol Naorem Mayai Leikai Keithel from 10 am to 4 pm.
Moreover, similar protest demonstrations were held across the length and breath of Manipur valley including the ones staged at Heirok Bazaar, Heitup Pokpi, Heirok Khunou Thongkhong and Lilong in Thoubal district.
Sit-in-protests were held at Nachou, Sunu Siphai, Kwakeithel Akham Leikai Maning Nganu Lampak under the aegis of the Kwakeithel Akham Leikai Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Lup, Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai under the Ereima Seva Association along with local Meira Paibis, Emoinu Ima Keithel, Kwakeithel Heinou Khongnembi, Thokchom Leikai and Lamdong, Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai, Kwakeithel Leimajam Leikai and Heirangoithong Yangam Leirak respectively.
Other locations where sit in protests were held included Brahmapur Aribam Leikai, Pishumthong, Langol Lairembi etc and also at Khurai Lai Wangma, Salanthong Nandeibam Leikai and Sangakpham Bazaar respectively.
The Lamlongei Yaipha Thoudang Lup also organised sit in protest at Mantripukhri Bazaar.
Furthermore, various sit-in-protests demanding ILPS were also held at Naharup Makha Pat organised by Gurupat Women Welfare Association, Khetri Bengool Salony Lampak, Top Makha Leikai Baruni road, Wangkhei Meihouobam Lampak, Kongba Uchekon Takhok Mapal, Thongju Rising Club opposite MU and Uchekon respectively.
A sit in protest including public meeting was also held at Mekola Keithel under the aegis of Youth Club, Mekola in association with Kodompokpi Zilla Parishad and Gram Panchayat.
It is common expression of the protesters that non-implementation of ILPS in Manipur will amount to extinction of the indigenous people of the State.
So, they have urged the elected Assembly Members to put in necessary efforts for the implementation ILPS or they should collectively resign on moral ground.
The agitators also stated that there could be a mass upheaval if the of ILPS is undermined by the Governments of both the Centre and the State.
India, ASEAN likely to sign FTA this month Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), Aug 10: India and the 10-nation ASEAN are likely to sign the long-delayed free trade agreement in services and investments later this month when their economic and trade ministers meet here.
Foreign Ministers of all ASEAN countries as well External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj have hoped that the pact will be finally signed during the four-day-long meeting of Economic Trade Ministers of India and ASEAN beginning August 25. Seeking better ties with India, the grouping after the India-ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting, here said it was looking forward to signing of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement in services and investment later this month.
In her address at the meeting, Swaraj had also hoped that the free trade agreement with ASEAN will be signed soon which will spur trade ties between the two sides.
The Indian government has already approved the pact in December last year.
"We are hopeful of signing the FTA in trade and services with ASEAN later this month," said an Indian official.
The agreement will boost movement of Indian professionals in the ASEAN region besides facilitating investments.
The India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement was signed in August 2009 and it had come into force in 2010. The ASEAN noted that the total two way trade between ASEAN and India grew by 5.3 per cent in the past years and called for further encouragement and promotion of business-to-business contact to achieve greater trade and investment.
The bilateral trade between India and ASEAN grew by 4.6 per cent from USD 68.4 billion in 2011 to USD 71.6 billion in 2012. ASEAN's exports were valued at USD 43.84 billion and imports from India amounted to USD 27.72 billion in 2012.The target has been set at USD 100 billion by 2015 for ASEAN-India trade.
The key members of ASEAN block include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
India has already implemented FTA with Singapore and Malaysia and is negotiating with Thailand.
At the end of its meeting with India, ASEAN also reiterated the need to strengthen ASEAN-India cooperation in agriculture and energy in order to ensure long term food security and energy security, especially with the use of appropriate technologies.
India received a total of Rs 10.75 lakh crore in Foreign Direct Investment in the last 14 years out of which 1.39 lakh crore had come from ASEAN grouping.
Indian investment in ASEAN countries during the period was Rs 1.54 lakh crore.
There has been significant progress in ties between India and ASEAN in the last few years in diverse sectors, particularly in trade and commerce.
Outlining a roadmap to give a fresh momentum to its ties with ASEAN, External Affairs Minister yesterday had said India would soon draft a five-year plan of action starting 2016 to take the "trajectories" of common interests with grouping to a new level.
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