JCILPS calls for collective fight against external forces
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2015 : The JCILPS has called upon all the indigenous people of Manipur not to allow external forces drive wedges 'amongst our-selves' in the backdrop of the three Bills passed by Manipur Legislative Assembly for pro-tection of all indigenous people, but fight collectively against all conspiracies aimed at dis-integrating Manipur.

The relief camp opened at JNIMS to assist in treatment of people injured in the course of the massive protest movement for enforcement of ILPS or similar mechanism in Manipur was closed today.

Speaking at the camp closure function, JCILPS con- venor-in-charge Khomdram Ratan dismissed the allegation that the three Bills were passed without consulting hill people.

The Bills were deliberated at length together with experts and tribal politicians before they were introduced in the Assembly.

All the MLAs elected from hill areas were present when the Bills were passed and they did not raise any objection.

None of the three Bills has any section or clause which affect the interest of hill people.

It was deliberate misin- terpretation of the three Bills by some elements with a sinister design to disintegrate Manipur which evoked mass uproar.

Relief camp closure function held at JNIMS

The conspiracy to disintegrate Manipur in the name of the three harmless Bills should be fought back collectively by all the indigenous people of the State, Rata appealed.

Manipur which has a written history spanning more than 2000 years had its own mechanism for checking influx of non-local people.

The mechanism was abolished by Himat Singh, the then Chief Commissioner of Manipur on November 18, 1950 .

Starting from that period, waves after waves of non-local people started migrating to Manipur.

Now the total population of non-local people is almost equivalent to the total population of all indigenous communities.

The influx would rise to astronomical level once railway connectivity reaches Imphal and the super highway becomes a reality.

By that time, all the indigenous communities would be over- whelmed by non-local people if there is no mechanism to check incessant influx.

Even though the situation is growing more and more alarming, political leaders of the State have shown little concern to check influx.

Several Bills and resolutions have been passed by the State Assembly to enforce ILPS or similar system in Manipur but political leaders of the State never bothered to pursue the issue to its logical end.

Had they (political leaders) shown little enthusiasm, all the fatalities and casualties could have been avoided, Ratan said.

He then questioned the undue interference by the Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Mizoram in the internal affairs of Manipur.

"We are shocked that nine people died in Churachandpur in the violent protest against the three Bills.

The uproar as well as the fatalities were triggered by malicious propaganda churned out by some leaders", Ratan said.

He urged upon all the indigenous people to take over different professions currently occupied by non-local people in Manipur.

In the course of the two-months long pro-ILPS movement, more than 350 people sustained injuries while young student Sapam Robinhood was killed in police action.

On behalf of JCILPS, Ratan conveyed gratitude to the relief committees of JNIMS, RIMS and all the people who extended aid to the injured protesters.

JNIMS Director Laishram Deben attended the gathering as chief guest where JNIMS relief committee chairman Dr Y Jogendra was the president.

Imphal CMO Dr Pushpa Rai and JNIMS Additional Medical Superintendent Dr Ch Lokendro were also present at the gathering.