Drafting committee for new ILP Bill constituted
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 21 2015 : Manipur Government has constituted a drafting committee for the replacement Bill aimed at protecting the indigenous people of the state.

It may be recalled that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi had withdrawn the controversial Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVT&MW) Bill, 2015 which was passed in the House on March 16 but was withdrawn on July 15 .

The official notification issued by the Government on Tuesday said that Forest Minister Thoudam Debendra will be the Chairman of the drafting committee.

The other members are Ng Bijoy, N Biren and RK Anand.

Special Secretary (Home) M Yaiskul Meitei is the Convener.

The order says that the committee may co-opt representatives of JCILPS as members.

However JCILPS has been saying that it will not hold talks with the government on the issue.

The committee shall submit its report at the earliest so that the state government may introduce the bill in the Manipur Legislative Assembly within one month.

JCILPS insists Govt should pass ILP Bill within a fortnight The deadline given to the State Government to pass a fresh ILP Bill is just nine days away and nothing concrete has been announced so far, said the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) on Tuesday.

JCILPS in a press release stated that the people are still wary of the Government's attitude as it has failed to indicate positive stance in bringing forth the proposed ILP Bill within a fortnight which is a deadline given by the committee.

Six days have passed since the deadline was given by the JCILPS and the Government is yet to take any step to arrange a tentative Bill till now, rued the Committee.

Till date, no formal invitation from the Government side has been received by JCILPS for holding talks over the issue.

JCILPS pointed out that there is the need of a meeting point between the two sides as the deadlock between the people and Government persists.

The committee said that a negative result is expected if the Government is unwilling to act on time to meet the demand.

The Government must consult the Law Department and legal experts promptly during the remaining nine days to bring forth the new ILP Bill and have it passed in the State Assembly by announcing the exact date for convening the House Session, demanded the JCILPS.

It questioned the point of holding talks with the Government if it chose to act against the public sentiment and suggested that it will be advisable to accept the key "five points" of JCILPS.

The statement pointed out that JCILPS had explained to the Government on several occasions on the actual desire of the public.

It said none of the JCILPS members is a legal expert and noted that the public are waiting for the Law Department and legal advisors to proceed according to the wishes of the public.

The committee warned of a public uprising over the ILPS issue if the Government is not prepared to pass the Bill within the 15-day deadline.

JCILPS further urged the public to carry on with the ongoing protests with determination no matter what they lost in the struggle to safeguard the indigenous people.

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