House of sixty to decide the future of native Manipuris

Seram Neken *

'Fast unto Death' by Kakchingtabam Bihari demanding Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur :: 6 July 2012 :: Pix - Banti Phurailatpam

The Constitution of India empowers the state governments to impose reasonable restrictions on free movement, residence and settlement in the interests of general public. Citizens' fundamental rights to move, reside and settle freely throughout the territory of India shall not prevent the state from making any law imposing reasonable restrictions either in the interests of general public or for the protection of the interests of any scheduled tribe.

Although Inner Line Permit System is not specifically mentioned, the exceptions to sub-clauses (d) and (e) of clause (1) of article 19 clearly prescribes the power of the state government in its implementation.

Its not surprising that out of the sixty members of the house, only the chief minister and the opposition leader took part in this year's budget discussion. All other MLAs both from the treasury and opposition benches remained silent on the annual budget presentation which is the most important business of the Assembly. Unfortunately, we have more contractors, more suppliers and more Gundas than more parliamentarians as our representatives.

Thanks to Dr. Irengbam Ibohalbi, MLA from Oinam Assembly Constituency who alone truly represented the people of the state. Most members do not speak in the house for obvious reasons. Either they may have little knowledge on the issue or they lack eloquence required for a competent debater. Anyway, we are complacent for we elected them at will.

After the state cabinet discussed the issue of Inner Line permit in the state and forwarded its decision to the centre, the State Assembly is going to discuss the issue in the House.

Are our leaders prepared to place their views ?
Will the ruling MLAs simply endorse the views of their leadership ?
Will the opposition MLAs remain silent spectators as they did during budget discussion ?
Will the state government seek the Centre's advice for implementation of Inner Line permit system, even when the State Assembly approves it ?

Free flow of immigrants is a burning concern to the native peoples of Manipur state. According to reports, the total population of non-Manipuris in the state is 7,04,488 while the indigenous tribal population is 6,70,782 and that of the Meitei, the major community is 7,51,822. (source: FRIENDS).

There are more non-Manipuris than the indigenous native tribal population in Manipur and non-manipuris will outnumber the majority community Meiteis in a very short period. Uncontrolled flow of non-manipuris in the name of business has reached ruining heights now that in some constituencies of the state, outsiders are gradually becoming majority.

One fourth electors of Thangmeiband assembly constituency are non-manipuris. The same figure applies to Sugnu assembly constituency. There is not a single assembly segment where non-manipuris do not reside in considerable numbers. In remote hill districts where even the valley dwellers can hardly frequent, the non-manipuris stay freely in the name of running small businesses. As per reports, migrants constitute around 60 percent of Jiribam population while 30 percent people there belongs to indigenous tribals and 5 percent Meiteis.

Immigrant population of non-Manipuris has also increased considerably, causing concern in saving the indigenous identity of Manipuris. Nepalis, Biharis, Bangalis, Madrasis etc. have settled in huge numbers in the name of running businesses and began to claim their social status as a Manipuri.

Among the international immigrants, Nepalis are the most numerous with their settlements concentrated mainly in Senapati district of Manipur. In 1974, a Nepali in the person of 'Kishore Thapa' was elected Member of Manipur Legislative Assembly from the Kangpokpi Assembly constituency. Today, there are a number of Nepali representatives in local bodies.

Not only in political arena, have they also occupied high administrative positions in the government. The Bangladeshis are also a common immigrant in Manipur. They generally reside in Meitei-Pangal populated areas with involvement in socio-economic activities of the state. Many Myammaree Kukis and Myammaree Tamils are also settling in border town of Moreh as business people.

Amidst the uninterrupted flow of immigrants into the state, the Meitei/Meetei population has been dwindling due to various factors. Strict adherence to family planning norms of 'one or two children' by most urban elites has hastened the decrease in Meitei/Meetei population as compared to other communities like Meitei Pangals, whose socio-religious sanctions give room for more wives and children.

The rural Meitei/Meetei families have now begun to follow such family planning mantras in defining a contented family life. There has been a trend of shifting settlements among Meitei/Meetei educated and business elites to other cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Guwahati etc. and abroad either due to employment necessities or for avoiding the unrest tendencies of conflict.

Moreover, there is a new trend of many excellent, educated and employed Manipuri girls married to outsiders. In the recent past, we have witnessed medical professionals, scientists and academician (Meitei/Meetei) girls belonging to well-to-do families preferring to marry with outsiders. Over and above these factors, many young Meitei/Meetei boys have been killed immaturely in the conflicts, drugs and AIDS mania. Many young married women have become widows and hundreds of children have become orphans.

It is natural and witnessed everywhere on the globe that unregulated immigrants are a threat to native communities. The very communities have to be vigilant on immigrant outsiders in order to preserve their identity. When hosts remain a host and guests remain a guest, cordial relations will automatically be there between the two.

The social, ethnic and cultural identity of Manipuris will obviously be preserved with the implementation of Inner Line Permit system. Not only the natives but also the visitors will be protected under the system. Hopefully, all the sixty representatives of the Manipuris will be unanimous on the burning issue of Inner Line permit system in the state.

It is in line with unity in diversity principle of the nation. The Constitution is also clear on the state's power to implement the system on grounds of public interests. Hence, it is right time for our sixty leaders to decide the future of native peoples.