38th Realisation Day Incessant influx concerns AMSU
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17 2018:
All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) president Manjit Sarangthem has said that the rapid influx of non locals in the State have greatly impacted the lives of the indigenous people of the State.
Speaking at the 38th Realisation Day (Meekap Thokpa Numit) organised by AMSU at Manipur college multipurpose hall today, Manjit Sarangthem claimed that after Chief Commissioner Himat Singh lifted the Inner Line Permit System from Manipur in 1950 without the consent of the people, non locals began coming to Manipur unchecked and as such the indigenous community of the State are no facing a huge dilemma.
Disappearance of small communities due to assimilation by a larger community is not a recent phenomena, he said and added that gradual disappearance of the tribals of Andaman and Nicobar, gradual overpowering of Jiribam by non indigenous communities and the increase in non local population at Sugnu-Serou are prime examples of the impact of unchecked influx of non locals.
Manjit exclaimed that the population of the non locals in areas covered by Imphal Municipal Corporation, like Thangmeib- and, Sagolband, Keishamthong, Singjamei, Wangkhei and Yaiskul etc have grown to such extent that even the major markets are being conquered by the non locals.
The situation is serious for the indigenous communities of the State and this issue requires the collective stand of the said communities to demand the implementation of an ILPSystem which is acceptable by the valley and the hill people, he added.
He also conveyed that the main objective of the event is to stress on the importance of unity among the people to create a strong society and to protect the indigenous people of the State from being overrun by non indigenous people.
Former president of AMSU, L Gojendro said that in the past, the people of the State rose in protest against the unchecked influx of non locals in the State and during the said protests, two students also lost their lives.
Honouring the sacrifice of the two students as well as the protest of the people, AMSU has been observing realisation day ever since, he added.
As a part of the observation, people paid floral tributes to the 2 martyrs at Chinga Ching and Manjit Sarangthem also hoisted a flag.
On the other hand, AMSU in collaboration with RIMS Blood Bank organised a blood donation camp at Manipur College where a large number of participants, including AMSU volunteers donated blood.