Dy CM speaks out against political divide on ILP issue
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 23 2014 :
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has observed that desisting from 'game blame' and working together to find a way to resolve the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP) would be more effective.
Attending the concluding day of a two-day sensitisation programme on 'human rights of indigenous people' hosted by Centre for Human Rights & Duties Education, Manipur University here today, Gaikhangam said, "creating turmoil among us and indulging in blame game over ILP issue will be a futile plan" .
He said, "We need to protect all indigenous people of Manipur including the Diasporas.
But we should approach the Centre in a diplomatic way with utmost care if we want to fulfil our demand for implementation of ILP system in the state" .
The twin issues of ILP and foreigner are thorny in nature, he said, adding Manipur Government has detected foreigners in Ukhrul district, Moreh in Chandel district and Imphal East's Jiribam subdivision in the past, but most of them turned out to be Myanmarese Muslims.
The Government is well aware that the outsiders residing in the state could endanger the very existence of indigenous population, he added.
Former Assam Chief Minister and Assam Students' Union (ASU) leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had tried very hard to implement ILP in his state, but it failed due to blame game among political parties, Gaikhangam claimed and added that the 30 percent of the total population of that state is now constituted by outsiders.
"Disparity among us over the ILP issue would show our weaknesses to the Central Government," he said, while adding that alleged politics played by Th Chaoba over the issue would invite violent wrath from the public.
The All Political Party ILP Committee is making all-out effort to find ways to resolve the issue, he claimed and took a jibe at the state BJP for blaming the ruling Government for enabling to bring a solution to the problem.
They (BJP) should stop accusing the state Government and instead it should try to approach the Central Government and lobby hard to bring about a clear-cut solution to the issue.
The state Government has been holding review meetings regularly in its efforts fulfil the public demand for introduction of ILP system.
The ILP Committee is now working actively and waiting for the suggestions and opinions sought from legal experts and intellectuals, Gaikhangam, who is also the chairman of the ILP Committee, said.
"We're also trying to seek advice from legal experts from the Supreme Court in order to introduce an alternative law to safeguard the indigenous people," he assured.
Commenting on the life of anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Sharmila, Gaikhangam who is also the Home Minister, said the society needs a courageous, dedicated and committed person like her.
"The life of Sharmila is very dear, and that saving her life is "our duty," he said.
She was re-arrested because the Government wants to save her life, he added.
"I appeal to Sharmila that she should call off her 14-year-old hunger strike in order that we can work unitedly to fulfil the demand for repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act," he said.
Gaikhangam said he hoped that if Sharmila raises her voice against the violence unleashing in the state, the wrong doers would listen to her.
He said if there is peace in the state, there will be no need for AFSPA.
Gaikhangam added that militant outfit NSCN-IM has been threatening the integrity of Manipur and committing crimes against the people.
Deployment of additional security personnel in the district of Ukhrul has been opposed by All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and United Naga Council (UNC), but the people in the district have been appreciating the Government policy, he claimed.
The Home Minister also said that now the number of fake encounter cases in the state has come down remarkably.
The programme held at Lecture Hall, Manipur University was also attended by Prof H Nandakumar Sarma, Vice-Chancellor, MU, Dr M Sureshkumar, co-ordinator, Centre for Human Rights & Duties Education, MU, Prof N Lokendra, Registrar, MU and Khaidem Mani, president, All Manipur Bar Association.
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