JCILPS bans entry of non-local people with effect from September 23
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 22 2016: Stepping up the popular campaign for enforcement of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) or a similarmechanism in the State, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has banned entry of all non-Manipuri people into the State with effect from September 23 .

The committee has also decided to boycott visits by leaders and members of different National political parties to the State.

Speaking to media persons at their Sega Konjeng Hazari Leikai office today, JCILPS convenor BK Moirangcha said that they have been compelled to ban entry of non-local people into the State as the State Government has failed to respond to their demand to pass a Bill by September 21 which can protect the indigenous people from the onslaught of incessant influx.

However, there would be no restriction on non-locals leaving the State.

BK Moirangcha said that the ban will remain in force until a Bill similar to ILPS is passed by the State Assembly.

The ban would not encompass students studying in Manipur and Government employees.

Except for these two groups of people, the ban would be applied to all nonlocal people irrespective of whether they possess valid identification documents or not.

The ban does not mean JCILPS views non-local people as enemies or Manipuris and non-Manipuris should be segregated.

Nor should it be construed as anti-India.

The incessant influx of non-locals has drastically altered the demographic profile of Manipur.

The indigenous peoples are under serious threats but both the State Government and the Government of India have been paying little heed to the popular demand for enactment of a Constitutional safeguard in order to protect the indigenous peoples of Manipur, BK Moirangcha decried.

Indigenous Manipuris are now facing a do-or-die situation.

It is this critical situation which is forcing JCILPS to ban entry of non-local people, BK Moirangcha said.

He then appealed to all the people of different States to cooperate with JCILPS' new phase of agitation.

He also appealed to all non-local people living in Manipur to join the ILPS movement and shout the slogan "Let us live in peace with passes in Manipur" .

The boycott on the visits by leaders and members of National political parties will remain in force until a fresh Bill is passed.

JCILPS would also pull up non-local street vendors who do not possess necessary licences.

If the State Government still fails to take a resolution to convene a special Assembly session and pass a fresh Bill even after one week of enforcing the ban on entry of non-local people, boycott on leaders of National political parties and the crackdown on non-local street vendors who do not possess licences, JCILPS would impose 'curfew' around Government offices and people would storm the houses of MLAs and Ministers, BK Moirangcha said.

He then asked all political parties active in Manipur to highlight their respective positions regarding the ILPS issue in their election manifestoes.

He also appealed to all local clubs and Meira Paibi groups to debar all non-local people living in their respective localities from casting votes.

JCILPS Women Wing convenor Thongam Apabi said that they would make another attempt to meet the Governor tomorrow.

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