Inner Line Permit System in Manipur : Lessons to learn from other countries and states
and what we need to do
- Part 3 -

Dr Khomdon Singh Lisam *

A migrant workers in Khwairamband Bazaar on 21 August 2011

5.5 The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 and Inner Line Permit

On 27th August, 1873, the British India declared provisions of Act 33 Vict.Chap-3, Section 1 to be applicable to districts o Kamrup, Darrang, Nowgong, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur (Garo Hills), Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Naga Hills, Cachar for the peace and government of the said districts. During this period, Manipur was a sovering country and therefore the regulation did not cover Manipur.

Under this system, no citizen from other parts of India (Outsider) are not allowed to enter the boundary of a State without a valid pass called Inner Line Permit issued by a competent authority under the regulation. These passes are usually issued by the State Deputy Resident Commissioners / Deputy Commissioners / any other officer authorised by the state Government. The main objective of the Inner Line Permit system was to provide a special protection of the distinct identity and safeguard for the peaceful existence of the indigenous people of the state / district.

If any person so prohibited enters the such line without a pass shall be liable to conviction before a magistrate (to imprisonment of either description which may extend to one year, to a fine not exceeding Rs. 1000 or to both) The pass will be issued by the competent authority and will require payment of such duties and fees as the state Government may deem proper.

Any rubber, wax, ivory or other forest product, (or any book, diary, manuscript, map, picture, photograph, film, curio or article of religious or scientific interest) found in the possession of any person convicted of any offence under this Act may be confiscated to State Government by an order to be passed at the time of conviction by the Magistrate.

If the Magistrate has reason to believe that any article which if found in the possession of a person convicted under this Act would have been liable to confiscation under sub-section (1) has been acquired or wholly or partly written, made or taken by such person beyond "the Inner Line", the Magistrate after giving the person in whose possession the article is found an opportunity to show cause why an order under the sub-section should not be passed in respect of the article any, unless it is proved that the article was not acquired, written, made or taken as aforesaid, order that such article be confiscated to Government. It shall not be lawful for any person, not being the native of the district to acquire any interest in land or other product of land without sanction of the state Government .

Even after independence, the Government of India implement this Inner Line Permit system in Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal. Under Article 29 (Protection of interests of minorities), any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.

5.6. Benefits on Inner Line permit system to the people of Manipur

1. Protection of land and immovable properties from outsiders. Our land immovable properties will remain intact as no outsider will be allowed to acquire or purchase land

2. There will be reduced unemployment problem in the state. Our youths will not be deprived of the their job opportunities as the outsiders will not be eligible for recruitment to permanent posts due to want of domicile certificate .

3. Our youths will not be deprived of higher posts like MCS, MPS as the outsiders ill not be eligible for appearing in such competitive examinations due to want of domicile certificate.

4. Our youths will not be deprived of the higher education opportunities in MBBS, BDS, BE as the outsiders will not be eligible to apply due to want of domicile certificate.

5. The indigenous Manipuris will not be deprived of manual works

6. Only the indigenous Manipuris will become proprietors of shops and establishments and they can run the market , fix the market price and dominate in the business.

7. The indigenous Manipuris will be elected in general and other elections as the outsiders will not be enrolled in the Electoral Roll.

8. Only genuine candidates ill be elected as the outsiders will no longer have political voice and their localities ill no longer be considered as vote bank.

9. The taxes collected from outsiders will become an important source of revenue in the state .

10. The inner line permit system will bring peace and harmony among the people and between the natives and outsiders and will reduce crimes.

11. The inner line permit system will help in protection and preservation of identity and culture of various ethnic groups in Manipur.

12. The inner line permit system will help in protection of territorial integrity of Manipur

13. The inner line permit system will prevent criminals from entering Manipur.

14. The inner line permit system will help in improving the socio-economic status of the indigenous Manipuris

15. The inner line permit system will help in improving the dignity and self respect of the Manipuris

16. The inner line permit system will help in reduction in the number of outsiders in Manipur –thus reducing tension, anxiety, conflicts and improve mutual respect between Manipuris and Non-Manipuris

17. The inner line permit system will help in prevention and control of various diseases like Dengue, Leprosy, Malaria, HIV, AIDS and STIs.

17. The inner line permit system will help in protection of small ethnic groups like Tarao, Purum , SULTE , RALTE ho are facing extinction.

5.7. Earlier Assurances of the Government of Manipur

1. On 22 July, 1980, the All Manipur Students Union(MSU) and All Manipur Students Co-ordinating Committee (AMSCOC) signed an agreement with the Government of Manipur to initiate identification, detection of foreigners from 1st August, 1980 of all outsiders and send them back home.

2. On 9 November, 1994, a second such agreement as signed by the AMSU with the Government of Manipur. There have been a series of protests and movement for introduction of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur . The response of the state government is quite encouraging.

3. On 30th June, 2006, FRIENDS had submitted a memorandum to the State Government for introduction of Inner Line Permit in Manipur.

4. On 2nd March, 2006, I. Hemochandra, Hon'ble MLA had initiated a discussion on Inner Line Permit in the Manipur State Assembly.

5. On 26 August, 2011, Shri N. Mangi Singh Hon'ble MLA put up a Calling Attention Motion on Inner Line Permit System in Manipur in the Manipur Legislative Assembly and the matter is pending with the State Cabinet since 27 August, 2011.

6. On 27 August, 2011, the State Cabinet under leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister, Manipur had discussed about the need to introduce the Inner Line Permit system in Manipur.

7. On 5th November, 2011, the FRIENDS had submitted the report of the Expert Committee on Inner Line Permit to the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Manipur.

6. Do we need a Special Status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

On 26 October, 1947 Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) signed the instrument of accession and sent it to Lord Mountbatten, the then Governor General for acceptance, Under the Instrument of Accession, the Government of India would be responsible for defence, communication and external affaires. On 27 October 1947, Instrument of Accession was accepted by the Governor General (Subjects proposed for transfer included Defence, External Affairs, Communications and Ancillary items).

On 26 January 1950, The Constitution of India comes into effect - Article 1, under which the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was a part of the territory of India and Article 370, giving a special status to the State were applied to J&K. On 26 January 1950, The Constitution (Application to J&K) order 1950 was issued under Article 370. In February 1954, The Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir ratified J&K's accession to India. On 14 May 1954, the recommendations of the Constituent Assembly were duly incorporated in the Indian constitution through a Presidential order.

Maharaja Bodhchandra signed the Instrument of Accession on 11th August, 1947. Under the Instrument of Accession, the Government of India would be responsible for defence, communication and external affaires. The merger of Manipur with the Union of India remains controversial as the Constituent Assembly never ratified the Instrument of Accession or the Merger Agreement.

The Government of India is trying to suppress the Manipuris by using various tactics such as denying our constitutional rights, by population invasion and playing divide and rule policy and instigating one ethnic group to fight with another group and imposing Armed Forces Special Power Act.

7. What the State Government need to do now?

The State will welcome any foreigner or outsider as tourists, students or patients for undergoing medical treatment or for doing business. They may come for work subject to issue of work permit. But they need to have a Pass which need verification and updating from time to time. The State Government need to do three things:-

1. The State Government should rigorously implement the Foreigners Act-1946.

2. The Manipur State Assembly may pass a strong resolution to move the Government of India to provide a Special Status for Manipur under article 370 of the Indian Constitution as done in case of Jammu and Kashmir. But this may take time and may not be possible within a short time.

3. In the mean time, the Manipur State Assembly may pass adoption of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation -1873 for Manipur to check, control and regulate influx of outsiders.

Concluded....