IMPHAL, June 27: The Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies, FREINDS today staged a sit in protest as part of its movement in demand of the implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the state.
The demonstration was staged at Keishampat Lairembi Lampak accompanied by a press briefing.
Speaking to media persons during the press conference, FREINDS, S Jadumani Singh expressed that the people of the state believe that the ongoing session of the state Assembly will pass the implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the state as the state Chief Minister had already discussed the issue on December 23, 2011.
He said according to the 2011 census data, the influx of outsiders in to the state is 7,04,880 whereas the population of the Meitei’s and the total tribals stand at 7,511,000 and 7,60,00 respectively.
Compared to India’s 117 crore population the Manipuri population stations at just 0.22 percent and in case the outsiders influx increase to 0.5 percent then Manipur will stand in the footsteps of Tripura.
Tripura has a population of 32 lakh with 25 lakh outsiders and just 7 lakh indigenous populations and as such the whole administration of the state is held by outsiders.
There is a fear among the people of the state that we would soon follow in the footsteps of Tripura until we put a check on the influx of outsiders for which implementation of the ILP is very much required, he said.
He continued FREINDS has been mobilizing the movement for demand of ILP implementation in the state including several sit in protest, street corner meetings since June 23.
The mobilization movement has been continued with several sit ins since yesterday considering the first day sitting of the 2nd Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Elaborating on the series of demonstrations, he said on July 6, one Kakchingtabam Birahari Sharma will undergo a fast unto death in case the government fail to implement the system by then and added that it will be followed by blockades along all National Highways from July 11 to 13.
The movement will continue with a three day entire state bandhfrom July 13 in case the Assembly fail to implement the system, he said.
The movement is supported by Kuki Inpi Manipur, Tangkhul Kathamnaolong, Zeliangrong Students Union (ZSU) of Assam, Manipur & Nagaland, Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) and several other student bodies of the state and other civil society organizations.
He added that FREINDS will organize a 4 day long thanks giving reception of the state government if the ILP is passed during the current Assembly sitting.
The president further extended his thanks to the supporters of the movement on behalf of FREINDS.
