FRIENDS disbanded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10, 2014:
Federation of Regional Indigenous Society (FREINDS), which pioneered the pro-ILPS movement in the State, has been disbanded.
Announcing the decision in a press conference held at its office, FREINDS president Sapamcha Jadumani said that people often get confused FREINDS with Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), which is currently at the helm of affairs of pro-ILPS movement.
He added that some people even think that FREINDS and JCILPS are running parallel movements on the same issue.
In order to clear this doubt, Jadumani said, FREINDS has to be disbanded.
Speaking on the contribution of FREINDS, Jadumani said that the civil society body was established on November 15, 2005 with the primary objective to protect the indigenous people of the State.
FREINDS was a torch bearer of pro-ILPS movement till 2012, when Manipur State Legislative Assembly passed the issue and establishment of JCILPS on July 13, 2012. He said that all the executives and members of FREINDS would continue to work with JCILPS.
Later, he also announced the formation of a new body christened, Indigenous people Association of Kangleipak" (IPAK).