Bodies unite to step-up ILP demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 05 2012: To further the demand for the implementation of Inner Line Permit sys- tem in the State, a committee christened Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System comprising various organisations from the hill and the valley has been formed.

This was announced today by the convenor of the Joint Committee, Sapamcha Jadu-mani, who is also the president of FREINDS, at a press meet held at the office of HERI-COUN, located at Palace Compound.

Meanwhile, as a part of the democratic agitations launched by the Joint Committee dema-nding the passing of a House resolution for the enforcement of the system, advisor of FREINDS, Kakchingtabam Bihari would begin a fast unto-death stir from tomorrow (Friday) at Kwakeithel.

Addressing the media, Sapamcha Jadumani said FREINDS has taken the cudgel in demanding the implemen-tation of ILPS in the state since 2005 as mandated by the people.

He said that the FREINDS, as a pressure group, launched around 400 different agitations since 2005 to demand the im-plementation of the system.

It also spread awareness on the issue and launched poster campaigns.

Women vendors stage sit-in-protest for ILP system in State

However, instead of imple-menting the system, the Go- vernment had turned a deaf ear to the demand.

Jadumani said that a motion was moved in the Assembly in 2011 regarding the issue which was never discussed on ground that the matter was sub judice as there had been a pending case in the High Court.

He said the petitioner of the PIL in the Court had himself withdrawn the case and there is possibility of the matter being passed in the ongoing Assem-bly while also reposing faith in all the 60 MLAs.

Among others, the co-convenors of the Joint Com- mittee included Sunil Karam (NIPCO), Mutum Churamani (HERICOUN), Joy Chinga-kham (FREINDS), Thangsei Haokip (Kuki Inpi), and Rocky Zimik (ex-general secretary of TKS).

The members included re-presentatives from AMSU, DESAM, KSA, SUK, SWAK, Zeliangrong Union and Kom-rem Union, Manipur.

On the otherhand, joining the call to enforce Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in Ma-nipur, women vendors of Ima Panthoibi Sana Keithel (Temporary Market) threatened to launch massive and intense agitation in case a resolution is not adopted to this effect during the ongoing Assembly session.

Endorsing the call to enforce ILPS in the State, women vendors staged a protest demonstration today at Ima Pan- thoibi Sana Keithel, Khwai-ramband Bazar.

Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, president of the vendors' union Ph Liklai-leima while observing that FREINDS' sustained campaign to enforce ILPS in Mani- pur is a justified campaign, called upon all the indigenous people of Manipur to join the movement.

Asserting that Chief Minister O Ibobi had even promised to enforce ILPS in Manipur at the time of election, Liklaileima demanded the Chief Minister to keep his words.

She asked all the 60 MLAs to take a firm resolution on the issue and forward the same to the Government of India for enforcement of ILPS in Manipur.

Noting that ILPS is being enforced in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, she questioned as to why Manipur is being kept as a case of exception.

The Government of Manipur is fully aware of the incessant influx of immigrants into Manipur and its impacts on the indigenous society.

It is the duty of the Government to check such unrestrained influx under certain rules and regulations.

In case the elected Members fail to take a resolution to enforce ILPS in Manipur during the ongoing Assembly session, women vendors of all the Ima Keithels would be compelled to launch intense and massive protest movements together with the people of Manipur, Liklaileima warned.