JCILPS calls cease work strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 07 2016:
After the first Bill 'Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill' has been withheld by the President, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) which has been spearheading the mass movement to save the indige-nous people of the State has called for a cease work strike from 5 am to 6 pm tomorrow.
JCILPS urged people to show their support to the cease work strike by laun-ching democratic forms of agitation.
Medical services, media, water supply, religious activities and college students who are appearing examinations are exempted from the strike.
Addressing media persons today at their office at Keishampat Sega Road, JCILPS convener (in-charge) BK Moirangcha stated that the JCILPS is now compelled to condemn the Indian Union for not respecting the rights of the indigenous masses of the 39 ethnic minority communities settled in Manipur.
Manipuris are living under the Indian Constitution and if the Constitution is not ready to safeguard the native minority people, then what is the point of living under the Indian Constitution, he asked.
He asked what could be the motive of withholding the Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill for further examina- tion by legal and constitutional experts for a new legislation to protect and preserve the indigenous people of Manipur looking into the aspects of hill and valley people.
Further he stated that the move of the all political party delegation to meet the Union Home Minister has become a joke as high hopes of the Manipuri people are now shattered after the most important Bill has been withheld by the President.
Raising series of questions to the authorities concerned, he asked why the three Bills were passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly unanimously if it should be withheld for such a protracted period.
Such activities show the oppressive attitude towards the minority ethnic communities of Manipur and it must be condemned at the highest level.
Intimidated over time and again, the Manipuri people are living a life of terror, BK said.
The Indian Union must clarify any loop holes of the three Bills.
It may be mentioned that among the three Bills passed by the Manipur State Assembly last year, the remaining two Bills � the Manipur Shops and Establishment Bills and the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Bill are likely to get Presidential assent soon.
He maintained that in the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly session, the three Bills must be reviewed and re-examined again to detect any flaws and a fresh Bill must be passed.
Information of withholding the Bill was sent to the Residential Commissioner of the State from the higher authority on May 11 and the State Govt has been silent cheating the people, he alleged.
Further he demanded that the State Govt including the Home Department must revoke the 'wanted tag' placed upon the former convener of JCILPS Khomdram Ratan for alleged connection with a banned outfit.
He added that JCILPS warmly welcomes the indefinite bandh called at Singjamei area protesting the allegation placed upon Ratan.
JCILPS would join hands with the protestors tomorrow for the cease work strike and the indefinite bandh would be withdrawn, BK added.
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