Completion of one year of ILP regime observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 11 2020: Many organisations celebrated one year of ILP (Inner Line Permit) System in Manipur today and remembered decades of struggles and sacrifices made to get the "protected status" .

ILP Demand Committee, Kangleipak (Manipur) observed the day at IPSA (International Peace and Social Advancement) office at Keishampat commemorating the signing of the document by President Ram Nath Kovind for extension of The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 to Manipur bringing the ILP System.

H Ibotombi Khuman, advisor IPSA; Joychandra Konthoujam, president IPSA, Ksh Somorendra, president IPAK (Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak); Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, president PANDM (People's Action for National Democratic Movement); Sanjit Soraisam, president ACOAM-Lup (All ClubsOrganisations and Meira Paibis Lup); v Leirik Leima, president Kanglamei, RK Sanahanbi, president KIL (Kanglei Ima Lup); Pakpi Chanu, president CLK (Chanura Lamchinglel Kangleipak) and N Chetan, president KSA (Kangleipak Students' Association) attended the observance as presidium members.

During the observance, the bodies recalled that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced that Manipur would become a ILP regime State in the Parliament on December 9, 2019.After the announcement, President of India, Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent and a Gazette notification for extension of The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 in Manipur was published on December 11 the same year (2019), said the bodies appreciating the Government.

The members of the bodies remembered that the ILP Demand Committee, Kangleipak had organised a series of awareness programmes and mass movements since November 18, 1997 demanding the Inner Line Permit System.

The committee, in order to protect the indigenous population and State interests, had submitted numerous memoranda and representations to the State and Central Government.

The committee had also demanded State's own law and Act to regulate flow of migrants.

In July 2012, a State level meeting of civil society organisations formed JCILPS (Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System) to carry the demand for ILP forward.

During the struggle, Sapam Robinhood, a Class XI student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School was killed.

Amid the Centre's effort to introduce and pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill in 2019, the Union Home Minister had announced that The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 would be extended to Manipur giving her the ILP System, recalled the members.

The bodies appreciated and thanked people, students and all organisations for their support and perseverance during the struggle for the ILP System.

They also prayed and remembered those who have lost their lives and suffered during the decades-long struggle.

Federation of Haomee (FOH) too observed the day at Manipur Press Club today.

Moirangthem Noudalenkhomba, advisor Malem Sanamahi Laining Lup; Gangmumei Kamson Kabui consultant member, Kabui Union Manipur; Dr Puni Losii Mao, president Mao Union, Gaidon Kamei, ex-president UNC; RK Rajendro, convenor Core-Committee, FOH; Sweeten Raihing, co-convenor, Core-Committee, FOH and Job Panmei, convenor of FOH, Kangpokpi district attended the event as presidium members.

At the observance, FOH general secretary, Yazing Vicisy recalled the death of Sapam Robinhood and stated that the struggle for ILP had made many disabled for life.

While appreciating the ILP System, Yazing however stressed that the Clause 7 of the system (ILP) did not identify indigenous people.

"While the ILP System aims to protect the native people, Clause 7 fails to identify who are the native people.

How can the system protect the native people when it does not define them," Yazing said.

The general secretary further asserted that the ILP System has not been enforced or implemented fully, in sectors like business, education, employment etc.

The system should be fully implemented to get the benefits it has to give the State and the people.

Government shouldn't only see the revenue it can get from the ILP System.

The Government has still not acted regarding the refugees and migrants from Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh who are now residing in Manipur.

Failure to implement the ILP System effectively would become costly for the State and the indigenous people, Yazing said.

FOH president Sapamcha Jadumani also recalled the decades-long struggle of the people to get the ILP System and appealed the Government to implement the ILP System fully and effectively.

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