Thang-Ta artistes, Disables lend voice to ILP demand
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 16 2014: Carrying forward the ongoing demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the State to safeguard survival of indigenous population, Thang-Ta artistes of Performing Organization of Art & Culture (POAC), Keirao Bitra staged a sit-in-protest at Keirao Bitra Khunou Sanlam Lamkhai in Imphal East today.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the protest, Louriyam Thaba, Director of POAC, said that the collective demand for enforcement of ILP system cannot be taken lightly as there is high possibility of outsiders surpassing the number of indigenous people after ten years if the system is not implemented.

She slammed the government for failing to enact State law to monitor the rampant influx of outsiders into the State.

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A protest on ILP demand

The system could have been implemented here long time back like in other northeastern States, had all the legislators shown enough political will, said Thaba while demanding the government to release all the students including members of Joint Committee on Inner Line permit (JCILPS), who were arrested in connection with the demand, unconditionally at the earliest.

Maintaining that the long standing demand for implementation of ILP system should not be seen as a movement against the government and non-locals staying in the State, she pledged that POAC will endorse all kinds of steps taken up by JCILPS to implement the system without any further delay.

During the protest demonstration, placards reading, 'Implement ILP system in the State', 'Resign all the MLAs for failing to implement the system', 'Regulate entry of non-locals into the State', 'Stop selling of land to non-locals', 'Save indigenous people' etc were displayed.

Women folks of Keishampat Yumjao Lairembi under the aegis of JCILPS held a sit in protest at the locality demanding implementation of ILP system at the earliest.

On the other hand, demanding resignation of all 60 MLAs who have failed to implement the ILP system in the State so far despite its urgent requirement, State Platform of Disable People's Organization, Manipur staged a sit-in-protest at Sagolband Tera in Imphal west today.

Members from three disabled students' unions and five civil society organizations took part in the protest during which several placards which read 'Implement ILP system', 'We condemn high-handedness of Addl SP (Traffic) Y Victoria', 'Monitor influx of outsiders into the State' etc were used.

Speaking to media persons, Pukhrambam Gopen, member of State Platform of Disable People's Organization stated that the ongoing demand made collectively for enforcement of ILP system here in the State is very much legitimate as it is the only means to save the indigenous people who have been facing a serious threat resulting from the unchecked mass entry of outsiders.

Gopen also lambasted the government for remaining a silent spectator to the unwarranted act of Y Victoria who raided office of JCILPS unofficially.

Pointing out that the failure of the government to implement the system despite knowing its needs has been due to lack of political will and consensus, he added that disabled persons in the State will also launch different forms of agitations until the system is implemented.

Consolidating the demand for implementation of the system and unconditional release of all the arrested JCILPS members, sit-in-protests were staged at Keishamthong Bazar, Yelang Leikai, Ahanthem Leikai, Khagempalli, Huidrom Leikai, Pishumthong, Haobam Marak Ngangom Leikai, Langthabal Phuramakhong and Pishumthong along Tiddim Road.

Similar protest was also staged by women folks of Thangmeiband Lourung Purel, Hijam Dewan Leikai and Hijam Leikai at Thangmeiband Chingakham Ground.