JCILPS set to face acid test at Jiri
Source: The Sangai Express
Jiribam, November 18 2012:
The movement to demand the enforcement of Inner Line Permit (ILP) set to begin from Nov 19, as declared by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), is set to face an acid test at Jiribam.
Since Jiribam is the border town of Assam and Manipur, a number of non Manipuris visit the place everday.
Moreover it is dominated by Bengali speaking people hence it will be a big challenge to identify and detect the migrants.
While the Bengali speaking (both Muslims and Hindus) people are not objecting to the demand to introduce ILP system in Manipur, a Hindu leader from Barak Circle has announced that the system should not be applicable to the inhabitants of Jiribam.
A meeting on the issue was convened at Kashimpur Jiribam with Anil Das attending as the chief guest while Moulana Tomij Uddin presided.
Sobur Mia, Aftab Ali, RinkuBala, Chairman Of Nari Jagaran and Ashab Uddin, Pradhan of Sonapur GP were seated at the dais as guests of honor.
The meeting was attended by a large number of men and women from the Bengali speaking community.
The speakers all echoed a similar line of thought-introduction of ILP system in Manipur is welcome but the system shouldn't disturb the peace and harmony of the soil.
It should not be enforced on the bonafide citizens of Jiribam.
Claiming that they are indigenous people of Manipur, issuing of forms to the Bengali speaking people of Jiribam will not be acceptable.
"Right to livelihood is a right given to all the citizens of India by the Constitution.
We are Indians and Manipuris.
We were born and brought up on this soil, thus we will fight for our rights and we will not take any forms issued by any organization," said a speaker from Sonapur.
The MLA from Jiribam has not recognized the Bengali communities though he got elected because of the Bengali votes, said the chairman of Nari Jagaran.
The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) had earlier stated that it will begin distributing ILP forms from November 19 .
The Deputy Chief Minister had howevewr expressed dissatisfaction over the resolution taken by the JCILPS and declared that the Govt will not remain silent if such steps are sought to be taken up .