KIM urges CM to call back Bills
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, September 21 2015:
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has today urged the State Chief Minister to call back and place the three Bills on his table and extend invitation for further discussion and deliberation of the Bills.
However, the Kuki apex body cautioned that they would refrain from any related meeting with the Chief Minister if he fails to call back the Bills and place them on his table for further discussion.
As per its executive committee meeting resolution regarding the three Bills viz PMP Bill, 2015, MLR & LR (7th Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishment (2nd Amendment) Bill, KIM president Thangkhosei Haokip and general secretary Khaimang Chongloi today submitted a representation to the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
The KIM representation recalled an open memorandum to the Prime Minister of India submitted on December 2, 2011 fervently appealing not to lift or remove "Inner Line Permit" introduced by the British India as Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act on August 27, 1873 for the sake of peace and social harmony.
It also said the State Chief Minister's open invitation seeking suggestions from the general public or individual towards drafting of a Bill as a result of the ILP movement in Manipur through The Sangai Express issued on July 27, 2015 was responded positively by the Kuki Inpi Manipur on August 1, 2015 .
It further stated that the Kuki Inpi Nampi Kihoukhomna (Conclave) held at Haipi village in Sadar Hills from August 26 to 29 under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Manipur made the "Haipi Declaration" .
And according to the declaration No 6 (i), any attempt by the Government of Manipur to enact new laws/new Acts that would affect directly/indirectly the interest of the tribals in general and Kukis in particular shall be opposed, and extension of MLR & LR Act, 1960 or similar Act, amendments, etc shall be opposed tooth and nail and any attempt to question the indigeneity of the Kukis and their land shall be considered as adversary.
KIM communicated these declarations of the Kukis to the Governor of Manipur while also registering strong opposition to the three Bills and urging him to return the Bills to the Government for further reconsideration on September 2 .
The KIM representation also recalled that the Chief Minister's invitation on September 2 to discuss the prevailing situations or Bills after their passage in the Assembly created angers in the minds of the tribals in the hill areas and subsequently avoided the invitation since the three Bills were no longer with the Government and the same has already been with the Governor for his assent.
It urged the Chief Minister to call back the Bills and place them on his table and extend invitation for further discussion and deliberation of the alleged anti-tribal Bills.
KIM also appealed the CM to give a chance to restore peace and normalcy in the State at an early date.