Fitting tributes paid to Sapam Robinhood on 6th death anniversary
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 08 2021: Fitting tributes were paid to Lamjing Meira Sapam Robinhood on his 6th death anniversary today in a simple function held at his resting site at Awaching.

It may be recalled that Sapam Robinhood- a class XI student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School was killed on July 8, 2015 during a protest rally seeking implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the State.

The death anniversary observance was organised by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) wherein family members of Sapam Robinhood were honoured.

Floral tribute was paid to the late student who has been honoured with the title "Lamjing Meira'' .

The attendees also observed two minute silence as a mark of respect to the late student who sacrificed his life in demand of a system for protection of indigenous people of the State.

Giving the keynote address, the convenor of the observation committee-JCILPS, Shyam Khuman recalled the background of the system which regulate entry and exit of migrants, how it was abolished in 1950 after Manipur merged with India on October 15, in 1949 and subsequent movements till the system was re-implemented recently.

The State people had to struggle a lot to gain the permit system which was necessitated with the growing demographic imbalance after the system was abolished and the State Government kept on sidelining the issue despite repeated agreements inked with AMSU in 1980 and 1994, Shyam said.

The demand for ILPS got momentum in 2015 after CSOs joined hands to form JCILPS and spearhead the cause, said Shyam while expressing grief that Sapam Robinhood was killed in police action during a protest rally on July 8 that year.

Many others were also injured during the massive protest movement, he added.

After two Bills - the Protection of Manipur People's Bill -2015 and the People's Protection Bill-2018 were sidelined, the much anticipated protection system was implemented by the State Government with effect from January 1, 2020 at the height of protest against controversial CAB which has now become an Act, he said.

According to JCILPS, the system being implemented in the State is toothless as guidelines under Art No 3 pertaining to identification of indigenous people, permanent residents has not been taken care of, guideline for fixing base year through which identification is to be made is not determined and protection of 'Manipur' land has not been discussed, he added.

It has been one and half year since the ILP was enforced by the State Government but the effectiveness of the system cannot be properly assessed so far, he said and added that the issue of influx remains grim according to reports gathered from drives conducted by JCILPS.

The joint committee had detected many cases of non renewal of the ILP pass, possession of forged pass and other identity cards issued in the State, said the convenor while expressing concern of the likely scenario in the State and the impact on indigenous community after train services start.

He further expressed the need for incorporating articles as listed in the Manipur People's Protection Bill-2018 which was unanimously passed in the State Assembly, in the permit system being enforced to make it more efficient and effective before train service starts.

The chairman of the observation committee, Luwangcha Chingkhei also called on all stakeholders to stress on inclusion of more protective provisions in the system.

The observation programme was also attended by convenor of JCILPS women wing, Th Kumu Leima; convenor of student wing, Shajad Bhuyamayum and co-convenor Md Kheiruddin as presidium members.

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