Dy CM clears air on talk with JCILPS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 23 2014: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has categorically stated that no formal talk was held between the All Political Parties Committee on ILP and the JCILPS.

Incidentally, Gaikhangam who is also the chairman of the committee maintained that it was just gathering of opinion.

The committee was not authorised to hold talks with the JCILPS.

Speaking to some media persons today, Gaikhangam stated that the committee met a team of JCILPS at the State Assembly yesterday.

But no formal talk was held for the Government did not authorise the committee to hold talks.

It was just sharing of opinions.

The primary function of the committee is collection of public opinions and suggestions and submit a set of recommendations to the Government on what could be done about the ILPS issue.

File pic of womenfolk demanding ILP in Manipur

Today, the committee met some members of JCILPS at their initiative.

In the meantime, the committee has been collecting opinions and suggestions of the All Manipur Bar Association, High Court Bar Council, Manipur University scholars and members of All Manipur College Teachers' Association.

Saying that the committee is not indulging in any kind of dilly-dallying tactics, Gaikhangam appealed to all concerned to share ideas on the issue.

The committee would hold another meeting in the afternoon of September 27 to take opinions of retired Judges on the issue.

Considering the reports that there are 7 to 9 lakh non-local people in Manipur, opinions of Economics and Statistics Director and Labour Commissioner would be gathered on the exact population of non-local people and labour laws respectively, Gaikhangam stated.

The committee would also go to New Delhi and take opinions of Constitutional experts.

The committee would go States and examine ILP-like laws being enforced there.

Stating that the committee would soon submit its report to the Government, the Deputy Chief Minister maintained that it would be improper to disclose all the opinions and suggestions made by different sections of people.

Nonetheless, all these opinions and suggestions would be made public property once the committee submits its recommendations to the Government.

There is no harm in pursuing the ILPS demand through democratic forms of agitation but any kind of violent agitation is undesirable.

Flying squads would be set up under designated police officers to check documents of immigrants and this has been conveyed to the JCILPS, Gaikhangam added.