More punch to ILP demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2011: Denouncing the failure of the State Legislative Assembly to take a concrete decision for enforcement of the Inner Line Permit System in Manipur during the just concluded monsoon session of the State Assembly, three student bodies have threatened to launch violent agitation if the State Cabinet does not take a decision for introducing Inner Line Permit System at the earliest.

Speaking to media persons at AMSU Hqs today, Desam general secretary M Ngamba, AMSU general secretary N Dipanjit and KSA secretary general Ph Manao said that they condemned the inability of the State Assembly to adopt a concrete resolution for introducing Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in Manipur.

Saying that several organisations have been campaigning and demanding introduction of ILPS in Manipur since the last many years, the three student leaders stated that the 33 ethnic groups of the State have been struggling to safeguard their political, economic and cultural rights as well as identity.

It is a matter of serious concern that the MLAs could not take any concrete decision on the issue.

Manipur is now overflooded with immigrants coming from different States of India and foreign countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal.

According to the 2001 census report, the number of immigrants have exceeded the number of indigenous tribal population.

Saying that the indigenous population of Manipur are facing a very crucial situation, the student leaders lambasted Chief Minister O Ibobi's assertion that there was no influx as sheer irresponsibility.

Urging the Government of Manipur to take a Cabinet decision for introducing ILPS in the State, they cautioned that the number of immigrants would multiply manifold once the Look East Policy comes into force.

The student leaders appealed to the Government to study the demographic changes being witnessed in Manipur and introduce ILPS without any further delay.

They also reacted to the Chief Minister's observation that the Bengali Muslims now living in Jiribam made their settlement there about 100 years back, saying that it was absurd.

Pointing out that the ILPS is now in force in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, AMSU, DESAM and KSA leaders warned that the Government should work sincerely to introduce ILPS in the State without delay otherwise the State Government should bear full responsibility for a sustained, violent agitation.

Pointing out that Meiteis are not allowed to settle in the hills, they questioned under what conditions 'outsiders' were allowed to settle in hill areas of Manipur.

They further asked the Government to identify immigrants living at Moreh and Jiri.

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