Roll back stand to issue ILP now: JCILPS, IPAK
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22 2020: Taking strong exception to the decision of the Government to start issuing the Inner Line Permit to non-locals so that they can come and work here, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) today asserted that this is not the right time to throw open the doors of the State to outsiders.

In a statement, JCILPS said that the number of positive cases has crossed the 2000 mark while there is strong apprehension of community spread at Jiribam and Thoubal and letting non-locals come in via air is not at all acceptable.

With Thoubal under strict restrictions with curfew being imposed, not letting anyone move around, the rationale of throwing open the doors of the State to non-locals is illogical and does not bode well for the indigenous people of the land.

Many of the labourers from outside Manipur will come from places where COVID-19 is rampant, said JCILPS and added that endangering the natives of the land is unacceptable.

If the Government does not roll back the decision to start issuing ILP, then JCILPS will launch a series of intense movement, it warned.

The Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) has also stated that resuming the issuance of ILP to non Manipuris amid the rising cases of COVID-19 is objectionable.

A press release issued by the secretary-general of IPAK, L Romen Meitei asserted that allowing inward travel of non-locals into the State at this point of time would be akin to welcoming widespread transmission of the virus in the State.

Thinking only of earning State revenue at this crucial time is very unfortunate, said IPAK and asked if the ILP system was implemented in Manipur to save the indigenous people or exterminate them.

He then appealed to the State Government to revoke the order issued by Special Secretary (Home) for resuming the issuance of Inner Line Permits (ILP) to outsiders at the earliest.

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