Ibobi invites JCILPS members to join Bill drafting committee
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 16 2015 :
Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Thursday stated that the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) members are welcomed to join the drafting committee so as to expedite the process of giving an acceptable shape to the proposed new Bill.
He also indicated that the new drafting committee may be constituted by inducting altogether a new team.
It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had already assured the Special Session of the Assembly on Wednesday that the new Bill to be drafted after consultation with legal and constitutional experts and others will be completed at the earliest or within 3 months.
Manipur Legislative Assembly on Wednesday withdrew the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVT&MW) Bill 2015 .
Ibobi while speaking to editors of Imphal based dailies in an interaction on Thursday said the members of the JCILPS should be involved while drafting the new Bill.
He also suggested that if there was a way, the drafting committee could reformat, change the title and content with new objectives.
He said that the points raised by the JCILPS could be considered after due consultation with legal experts.
MRVT&MW Bill 2015 was introduced in the State Assembly on March 13 last and the same was passed on March 16.The Bill was introduced after discussion with the committee which comprised of representatives of all political parties of Manipur and legal experts, he informed.
Since the Bill was rejected by the JCILP, the movement led by the committee intensified subsequently leading to the death of Sapam Robinhood, a young student, said the Chief Minister.
While expressing regret over the death of Sapam Robinhood, Ibobi also said that he was perturbed by few issues with regard to the current ILPS imbroglio.
The first one which rattles the Chief Minister is the way young school children have been dragged into numerous protests led by either JCILPS or those who supported the movement.
Ibobi also said there has been no uniformly acceptable official definition of what has been often termed as "indigenous people".
And lastly, Ibobi opined that whatever that has to be drafted should be within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.
When the issue of excessive police action in dealing with the protesters was raised, Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Home Gaikhangam said police personnel had tried ways to maintain restraint wherever possible if they were not provoked.
While clarifying that he was not condoning reported excessive action by police forces, Gaikhangam expressed concern over "involvement of anti-social elements" in the strikes and bandhs called by protesters.
Curfew relaxed till 6 pm
The indefinite curfew in the two districts of Imphal east and Imphal West will be relaxed from 5 am to 6 pm on Friday.
The district magistrates of the two districts have issued the necessary orders in this regard.
However, during the curfew relaxation, the prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC shall remain in force.
Assembly of five or more persons and carrying of sticks, stones and others which can be used as offence weapons will not be allowed.
The indefinite curfew was clamped on July 8 following the gunning down of a student in police firing.