Who is responsible for bringing in migrant workers sans ILP poser raised
Clarify: JCILPS to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 16 2020: After at least 23 migrant workers were found entering the State recently amid the suspension of the issuance of Inner Line Permit in view of COVID-19, JCILPS (Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System) has asked the State Government to clarify on the issue and book all involved who flouted norms to bring in the migrant workers.

The migrant workers and outsiders who entered the State after the March 18 order which suspended the issuance of permit (ILP) should be sent back to their respective States, said JCILPS convenor YK Dhiren.

Who is responsible for bringing in migrant workers sans ILP poser raised

Speaking to media persons at the JCILPS office at Kwakeithel Konjeng Hazari Leikai today, Dhiren said that the committee has received reports of migrant workers/outsiders staying at many quarantine centres at present.

Asking how the authorities concerned at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport allowed the migrant workers to proceed beyond the airport and enter the State amid the suspension of the issuance of ILP, Dhiren said that the State Government must clarify on the issue and take up appropriate legal action against those who permitted the outsiders to enter the State.

All involved, irrespective of their position and post should be dealt with strictly as per the law.

In the light of the recent incidents, the JCILPS no longer has confidence in the Government and the agencies enforcing the ILPS, Dhiren said adding the committee suspects hands of some powerful persons in the incidents.

As the law enforcement agencies and authorities concerned of the Government are "ineffective" in enforcing the Inner Line Permit System, the JCILPS is forming a task force soon to work along with public to enforce the permit system strictly.

The task force will monitor the influx of migrants and assess the status of those already in the State.

It will also take up appropriate legal actions against those flouting ILPS norms, Dhiren said.

Asking the Government to formulate rules and regulations for renting rooms amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he also appealed landlords not to give/accommodate rooms to anyone without proper verification.

It may be noted that a Gazette notification on December 31, 2019 had enforced the Bengal Eastern Frontier Act with effect from January 1, 2020 and subsequently, entry of outsiders via air and land was prohibited without the Inner Line Permit.

To effect the ILPS, dedicated counters were opened at all entry points including Jiribam, Mao, Jessami and Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal.