Women vendors extend solidarity on ILP
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 25 2012:
Women vendors of the historic Khwairamband Keithel (Market) staged a sit-in-demonstration to demand implementation of inner line permit system in Manipur at the earliest and in extending solidarity to JCILPS.
The protest, on the theme 'Save Indigenous Peoples' was jointly organised by Khwairamband Keithel Apunba Imashing and Joint Action on Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, and held from around 9 am till 4 pm today with the women vendors ceasing economic activities for the day at the normally busy commercial centre.
Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the protest demonstration, some women vendors alleged lack of initiative from the Government to protect the indigenous people by checking rapid influx of outsiders into Manipur.
Expressing grave concern that failure to work out an effective legislation for curbing influx of both migrant workers and illegal immigrants would lead to gradual dilution of the indigenous people and eventually wipe out the entire population, they suggested that land laws too should be amended in such a way to bar non-locals from becoming land owners.
Wondering what harm implementation of ILP system in Manipur would cause to the policy makers, the women vendors also insisted that Government of Manipur prevail upon the Central Government to uphold the State assembly resolution on the said issue.
While cautioning the State Government that the Manipuri womenfolk might launch intense agitation in case the Government do not accord importance to the issue, they pointed out that as representatives of the people all the legislators need to ensure safety of the local populace.