BJP, LJP, NCP pledge support to ILPS movement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 07 2016 : The BJP Manipur Pradesh, LJP State unit and the NCP State have pledged unstinted support to the popular movement for enactment of a constitutional safeguard for protection of indigenous people of the land.

Former BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba has stated that the party is an ardent supporter of JCILPS' demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit System from the very beginning and will continue to support the same in the coming days.

Addressing the media, former BJP Manipur Pradesh president and the party's State Election Management Committee convenor Thounaojam Chaoba today said the BJP is duty bound to support JCILPS in its demand to convert the three Bills into Acts that were passed on August 31 last year.

Clarifying the statement made by the newly elected BJP Manipur Pradesh president Ksh Bhavananda, Chaoba said his statement on ILPS was wrongly interpreted.

Bhavananda is yet to submit the necessary documents to fully occupy the office, he therefore has little knowledge of the future course of actions to be taken by the party.

BJP, LJP, NCP pledge support to ILPS movement

Bhavananda has convened a core committee meeting to discuss the BJP's stand on the issue of ILPS.

The decision of the meeting will be announced shortly, Chaoba stated adding that the stand of Congress on the issue should also be considered.

"Since my tenure as the party president, BJP Manipur Pradesh has been endorsing the demand of JCILPS", Chaoba stated.

The three Bills for protection of indigenous peoples were passed on the floor of the Assembly with the consent of the 60 MLAs of the State.

The Bills were later handed to the State Governor who in turn forwarded them to the President of India for approval.

Nine months have passed and the Bills are still with the President waiting for his approval.

All the 60 MLAs in the presence of whom the Bills were passed should exert pressure at the Centre to convert the Bills into Acts, Chaoba said.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam's statement on the issue should not be considered as the Congress party's position.

The party's State unit president TN Haokip should announce the party's stand on the issue, he added.

The former party president vowed to give his best as the State Election Management Committee convenor in the upcoming Imphal Municipal Corporation and general elections.

The BJP would put up candidates in 27 wards of IMC.

Out of 59 prospective candidates who took application forms for party tickets, 34 submitted their application forms, Chaoba stated.

Even though the code of conduct for the elections came into force on April 16 when the election notification was issued, the Congress Government launched the National Food Security Act in the State against the election norms.

"The motto of BJP is to end corruption and maintain the law and order condition of the State.

We have faith that the people will vote for the BJP", Chaoba said adding that elections campaign for general elections will commence shortly in hills districts of the State.

Fifteen per cent of BJP's final candidates for the IMC elections are women.

The Lok Janashakti Party, on the other hand has also voiced its support for JCILPS.

LJP spokesperson Ningombam Ibohal in a press meet held at the party office at Babupara today said the Lok Janashakti Party will fully endorse the demand of JCILPS.

LJP State unit had, on August 6, 2015, met the party leaders at the Centre urging them to discuss the ILPS issue of Manipur with the Central Government.

Ningombam Ibohal has queried why the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers have not yet called upon the Centre and discuss the ILPS issue.

The JCILPS and the public were forced to take up steps to ensure that the Bills are approved, the LJP spokesperson stated.

He has further urged the State Government to take up immediate steps to sort out the ILP issue.

Likewise, the Nationalist Congress Party, (NCP Manipur Unit) has expressed that its support for the implementation of an Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the State remains unchanged.

A statement issued by the NCP Manipur Unit president MLA L Ibomcha Singh stated that earlier on August 11, 2012, they had met the then Union Minister of State Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Praful Patel and apprised him of the demand for implementation of ILP in the State.

Moreover, on July, 12, 2012, they submitted a memorandum to PM regarding the same.

Recently on April 9, 2016 during the PAC tour to Delhi led by State NCP president L Ibomcha Singh, MLA, they reminded Praful Patel, the party's MP of Rajya Sabha of the earlier demand made to him.

It termed All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) statement regarding the ILP as unfortunate, whereby they stated that it is not a relevant statute for all communities of the State.

It said that ANSAM should ask for withdrawal of ILP in Nagaland if that is the case, conveyed a press release issued by general secretary of NCP, Manipur Pradesh.