JCILPS gears up for renewed campaign
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 17 2015: After a brief lull, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has geared up for a renewed campaign on protection of indigenous people of Manipur from incessant influx.

The renewed campaign named 'Save Indigenous Peoples Campaign' was launched here today at Manipur Press Club with JCILPS convenor in-charge Khomdram Ratan, former convenor Ibotombi Khuman, senior Advocate Khaidem Mani and Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) president Ahonshangbam Mobi as presidium members.

Speaking at the gathering, JCILPS co-convenor BK Moirangcha said that incessant influx of people from beyond the boundary of Manipur since its controversial merger with the Indian Union has been posing serious threats to the culture, identity and socio-economic conditions of indigenous peoples.

Women folks of Khwairamband Keithel protest ILP on March 17 2015 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Taking due note of this grim scenario, indigenous peoples have been demanding enforcement of Inner Line Permit System or a similar mechanism.

The people's apprehension and aspiration is being articulated by JCILPS and it has been consistently demanding enactment of a Constitutional safeguard.

Following a series of massive and sustained people's movement, JCILPS and the Government of Manipur signed an agreement on August 25 this year.

Subsequently, the Manipur Legislative Assembly passed the Protection of Manipur Peoples' Bill 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (7th Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (2nd Amendment) Bill 2015 .In the course of the people's movement Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy student Sapam Robinhood was killed in police action.

Soon after the Bills were passed, a massive uproar was raised against the Bills in Churachandpur district which resulted in the loss of nine lives.

Even though it has been 100 days since the Bills were passed and despite an ultimatum has been served, the State Government has not shown any urgency to get the three Bills passed.

BK Moirangcha decried, The State Government has been literally sleeping over the three Bills once they were referred to the President.

The State Government has not initiated a single step to set up population commission or the land reforms commission.

On the other hand, the Government of India, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs has been maintaining that it would consult all stake holders before taking a decision on the three Bills which is nothing short of undermining the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Some MPs elected from other States have been making all kinds of irresponsible statements about the Bills in Parliament, he said.

In view of the State Government's in action and misleading campaigns of those elements which are inimical to the collective interest of the indigenous peoples of Manipur, JCILPS organised this meeting to launch a renewed campaign, BK Moirangcha said.

Associate Prof S Noren of Statistics Department, Imphal College, Associate Prof K Setrajit of Political Science Department, Imphal College, CQHR Chairman Phulindro Konsam and PANDAM president Yumnamcha billipkumar too spoke at the gathering as resource persons.

Advocate Khaidem Mani asserted that JCILPS is duty-bound to get the three Bills transformed to Acts after setting up population commission and land reforms commission.

None of the law practitioners belonging to the hill communities came forward when they were asked to point Out if the three Bills contain anything which impinge upon the tights and interests of hill people, he said.

This does not mean Manipur should be disintegrated.

He then highlighted the need for JCILPS to spearhead another round of sustained agitation.

The movement should be based on firm political logic and intellectual wisdom rather than swayed by emotion, Mani said.

EGM president A Mobi assured Ml cooperation to the proposed movement in his capacity as a senior journalist.