Sit-ins demand ILP system in State
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Imphal, August 20 2011: Under the aegis of Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies (FREINDS) sit-in-protests were held at different places to highlight growing population of non-locals as well as to demand effective enforcement of the inner-line permit system to check the influx.

Apart from women activists and traders of Khwairamband Keithel joining the protest demonstration, students under the joint initiative of student bodies such as AMSU, DESAM and KSA also took part in the protest.

Some of the protestors speaking to newspersons on the sideline of the demonstration expressed strong resentment that inspite of being aware of continuous entry of migrant workers to the State that threatens to dilute the State's indigenous population there is no concrete step from the side of the State Government to check the problem.

The sit-in-protests were staged at the three market complexes in Khwairamband keithel and keishampat area while students of educational institutions located along Tiddim Line, Canchipur, Thangmeiband, New Checkon, Uripok, Singjamei, Wangkhei, Khundrakpam, Mayai Lambi, Thoubal etc congregated in front of their respective institutions.

The protest demonstrations is to demand the State legislators deliberate on the issue of continuous influx of non-locals, including migrant workers into Manipur in the forthcoming session of the State Legislative Assembly and to frame an effective legislation to bar their entries.

Students stage sit-in-protest demanding introduction of inner-line permit system in Manipur

Enforcement of inner-line permit system in some States of the North Eastern region to protect the indigenous population compared to cessation of such a measure in Manipur were also highlighted during the protest.

A public meeting was also held at the Khwairamband Keithel protest venue which was attended by several social organizations such as United Committee Manipur (UCM), Kabui Mothers' Association (KAMA), Kuki Women's Union (KWU), Hericon etc.

besides intellectuals and social leaders who shared diverse opinion in a united voice against heavy influx of immigrants into the state.

The demonstration sought the implementation of ILP in Kangleipak (Manipur).

A statement circulated by the organizer noted that ILP was lifted from Manipur on Nov 18, 1950 under the signature of Manipur chief commissioner Himat Singh.

And ever since then, the state has been flooded with migrant workers from across the borders of Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.

While the total population of Manipur is 23 lakhs, the number of immigrants have grown to 7 lakhs — i.e.one third of the total population of the state — even surpassing the combined population of tribals, it said.

The statement further added that heavy influx of migrant workers, particularly in places like Jiribam, Ukhrul, Uripok, Sugnu, Khundrakpam, Wangkhei, Moreh, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Churachandpur, Bishnupur etc.

has changed the demography of the places and voting behaviors where a person can not get elected any more without patronizing the immigrants.

The demonstration today sought the implementation of ILP which continues to govern Northeast states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh because of which they could preserve their identity, the statement added.

President of FREINDS Sapamcha Jadumani said that the people should unite in pressurizing the political class to introduce and implement ILP during the forthcoming state assembly session slated for Aug 24-29 .

Political parties like Manipur People's Party (MPP), Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI Marxist etc also extended their support for the implementation of ILP by participating at the event.