JCILPS set to resume stir, to boycott Assembly
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 28 2015 : Perplexed by the alleged indifferent attitude of the Govt in introducing a draft Bill similar to ILPS for the protection of indigenous people of the State in the ongoing Assembly session, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has announced its decision to boycott the last day of the ongoing State Assembly session if the Bill is not introduced within the remaining days of the session.

The current Assembly session will wind up on March 3 .

The JCILPS has also announced that it would launch various forms of agitation besides boycotting the CM and his Council of Ministers if the Government fails to introduce the much anticipated legislation to safeguard the indigenous people of the State on the floor of the Assembly and pass a Bill during the ongoing Assembly session.

Meanwhile, the JCILPS, as part of its demand to introduce the legislation similar to the ILPS in the Assembly and pass the Bill, will stage a mass sit in protest along with the people of the State in greater Imphal area tomorrow.

Speaking to media persons during a press meet at its office today afternoon, Ibotombi Khuman, convener of JCILPS said that although the Govt had earlier assured to introduce the draft of a legislation similar to ILPS in order to facilitate the passing of a Bill, the same has not yet been introduced.

During the last meeting with the Govt including legal experts, officials and members of all political parties on ILPS at the CM secretariat, a dummy of the draft Bill of 'Manipur Visitors and Tenant Law 2015' in 260 pages was presented by the Chief Minister.

The JCILPS representatives were assured during the meeting that the draft Bill would be introduced in this session of the Assembly, Ibotombi said.

But it is very unfortunate that the Government has so far not introduced the Bill on the floor of the Assembly, he added.

Ibotombi added that not a single point to facilitate passing of a Bill to safeguard the indigenous people was mentioned in the Governor's address on the inaugural day of the ongoing Assembly.

More perplexing is that introduction of the Bill in the Assembly does not figure in the business lists for the remaining days of the Assembly, Ibotombi said.

The JCILPS in the last meeting asked the Govt to make 1951 as the base year and not to give land ownership right to non-locals.

As per the last decadal census, the total population of non locals in the State is 10 lakh against the State's total population of 27 lakh.

This has caused demographic imbalance, he pointed out.

The State Home Minister had also told media persons a few days before the beginning of the Assembly that the Govt is taking up measures to introduce the Bill in the Assembly.

He categorically warned that the JCILPS would boycott the Chief Minister, his Council of Ministers apart from boycotting the last day of the session if the legislation to safeguard the indigenous people of the State is not introduced and a Bill passed on March 2.The boycott of the CM and his Council of Ministers will be effective from March 3 .

He further regretted that the State Government fails to act unless there is public outcry on any issue.

As part of their demand to introduce the legislation similar to the ILPS in the Assembly and pass the Bill, the Joint Committee will stage a mass sit in protest along with the people of the State in greater Imphal area tomorrow, he further said.

Kh Ratan, co-convener of JCILPS said that the State Government led by CM O Ibobi is not sincere towards the people of the State.

He affirmed that series of agitation would be launched from March 3 if the legislation is not introduced in the State Assembly before that.

The State Cabinet Ministers should also resign from their posts if the legislation is not introduced in the House, he demanded.

The JCILPS will also start issuing 'pass' to non-locals as its next course of action if the Govt fails to come out with a Bill to safeguard the indigenous population besides launching various forms of agitation, he warned.

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