Do it now or face agitation : JCILPS to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 01 2015: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has asked Chief Minister O Ibobi to keep his words by getting the draft Bill on ILPS passed tomorrow at the State Assembly in order the protect the indigenous people of Manipur.

If the same Bill is not passed by the State Assembly tomorrow, different modes of intense agitation would be launched with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, protest demonstrations were staged today at different parts of Imphal West and Imphal East districts against the Government's failure to table the draft Bill on ILPS in the State Assembly till date.

One such protest demonstration was held at Nongmeibung and it was participated by volunteers of JCILPS students' wing, women wing, different civil society organisations, local clubs of Nongmeibung area.

Dharna underway to demand the enforcement of ILPS

Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, JCILPS convenor Ibotombi Khuman expressed strong apprehension that the ILP issue would be put in cold storage once again if the draft Bill is not tabled and passed by the State Assembly tomorrow.

During a joint meeting of Cabinet Ministers, officials, JCILPS representatives and legal experts held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat on February 18, the Chief Minister showed a dummy law and promised to table a Bill in the ongoing House session.

Even as the Deputy Chief Minister assured to protect the indigenous people of the land by enacting an appropriate legislation, the same issue has not been debated in the State Assembly till date.

In case the issue is not debated tomorrow, the last day of the Assembly session would be boycotted and all kinds of intense agitation would be launched, Ibotombi said.

In response to a representation submitted by the JCILPS, the State Government reportedly assured that all the regulations suggested by JCILPS which can be enforced by the State Government would be implemented.

As for suggestions which are beyond the State Government's purview, the Government of India would be consulted.

Ibotombi maintained that ILPS or a similar mechanism is indispensable for protection of Manipuri people who constitute a microscopic minority in the country.

The Government should act promptly and get the Bill of ILPS passed by the State Assembly before the ongoing session concludes.

Women activists and vendors of the three Ima Keithels of Khwairamband, Ima Panthoibi Sana Keithel (temporary market shed) Singjamei, Naoremthong, Pishumthong, Lamlong, Tera, Chingamakha, Kongba and Kwakeithel too staged sit-in-protests at different places against the common demand for enforcing ILPS or a similar mechanism in Manipur.

Khwairamband Keithel Nupi Semgat Sagatpa Lup vice-president Mayanglambam (O) RK Radhesana said that women vendors of Khwairamband Keithel would join any mass movement in case the State Government still opts to keep the issue unresolved.

The issue remains unresolved even after the State Assembly has adopted resolutions twice in favour of enforcing ILPS in Manipur because the State Government is not committed enough, Radhesana asserted.

The Government of India does not like enforcement of ILPS in Manipur because it cannot understand fears and anxiety of the Manipuri people.

She further decried that not a single MLA bothered to raise the issue of ILPS even though three days have passed since the five-day long House session started.

The Government should ensure that the draft Bill on ILPS is passed during the last two days of the ongoing session, she demanded.