Demand for ILP grows louder, intense
Cabinet resolves to press for BEFR extension
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 12 2012: With the public demand for re-implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Manipur becoming louder and more intense, the State Cabinet has resolved to urge the Government of India to extend the provisions of The Bengal Eastern frontier Regulations, 1873 to the state of Manipur.

A meeting of the State Cabinet was held in the evening today to discuss the public demand for introduction of ILP in the state.

After a thorough discussion, the meeting resolved to urge the Government of India to extend the provisions of The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873 to the state.

Announcing the Cabinet decision to mediapersons, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh observed that his government has been seriously discussing the issue of ILP.

However, the Centre has disapproved the proposal of reintroduction of ILP on the ground that it is a Central law beyond the jurisdiction of the state.

ILP is in contravention to Article 19 of the Indian Constitution which says that any Indian citizen can visit and settle in any part of the country.

Torch Rally at Kwakeithel demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system of Manipur Pix Bunti Ph

As for ILP being enforced in Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister explained that the system was there already in these three states before adoption of Indian Constitution.

When Hueiyen Lanpao pointed out the possibility of enacting a state law for introduction of ILP by overruling the provisions given in Article 19 'E' and 'D' of the Constitution by Proviso V of the Article which says that despite the guarantee under Provisions 'E' and 'D', special arrangements could be put in place for the welfare of special category people including scheduled tribes and scheduled castes, the Chief Minister maintained that no such laws could be enacted by state with regard to ILP.

Earlier during the day, student leaders of DESAM, AMSU, KSA, SUK and SWAK managed to hoodwink security personnel and shouted slogans demanding re-introduction of ILP within 500 metres of the Assembly building while the session was underway.

Womenfolk demanding reintroduction of Inner Line Permit system

The student leaders first converged at Thangmeiband Naothingkhong Pakhangba Laibung and came marching through Muji Leirak.

As the student leaders approached the main road, some police personnel on duty tried to stop them but in vain.

From there, the student leaders charged towards the Assembly complex while shouting slogans demanding re-introduction of ILP with the police chasing after them.

At Thangmeiband Watham Leirak Machin, which is just a stone throw distance away from the Assembly complex, a reinforcement of police team stopped the agitated student leaders from going ahead.

Police resorted to lathi-charge the student protesters to control them, leading to a pitched battle and detention of more than 50 agitated student leaders.

During that time, another group of agitated students who have started their march from TG Higher Secondary School were stopped by the police in front of the western gate of Kangla fort.

Police also barred students of Johnstone Higher Secondary School from taking a out a similar protest march.

Members of KIMACS, who were attempting to launch a demonstration, were also forced to turn back from Sanjenthong Bridge by the police.

However, the police faced a tough situation over the Sanjenthong Bridge as they came across another group of students from CC Higher Secondary School there.

The police drove them away till the school campus after controlling them.

On the other hand, a large number of students from Ibotonsana Higher Secondary also took out in the street but they were barred from pursuing further protest after police arrived and dispersed them.

Meanwhile, members of IPSA and UCM jointly staged a sit-in protest in front of Keishampat Lairembi demanding reintroduction of ILP in Manipur.

The demonstrators later tried to proceed towards the state Assembly building but police blocked them from further movement at Keishampat Bridge.

Later, the police allowed five protesters to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Sit-in protests were also staged in other places such as Bashikhong, Kongpal, Kongpal Sajor Leikai, Kongpal Ninghthoukhong Leikai, Netaji Meetei Club, Kongpal Chungkham Leikai, Paona Bazaar, JN Dance Akademi campus, Uchekon and Lilong Bazaar.

Students of CC Higher Secondary also took out rally from their school campus with the intention of storming the Assembly at around 11 am today but they were stopped by police.

After about 30 minutes of scuffle, the students took the route towards Konung Mamang.

There again, the students were prevented from going ahead by the police and forced them to go back to the school campus.

However, the students remained at the gate of the school shouted many slogans demanding ILP in the state.

Later, the students requested the police to allow some of them to go and submit written representation to the Chief Minister.

But it was denied and instead the police picked up two students and put them in police vehicle.

Seeing picking up of two students, the rest of the students in the school campus began to hurl stones at the police.

Unable to control the situation, police released the two students and forced them to remain inside the school campus.

As the students were trying to protest in front of the school campus, a police officer slapped one student on the face leading to nose bleeding. Magazine Secretary, Ch Rabichandra of the school while speaking to reporters condemned the action of police which resulted in nose bleeding of a student in uniform.

While identifying the police officer as Inspector Achouba of Imphal East Commando, the students demanded the government to suspend the police officer.