IMPHAL, July 12: The state Cabinet, in a meeting convened this evening at the Chief Minister’s Bungalow, has resolved to urge the Centre on the implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the state.
Addressing media persons after the Cabinet meeting at the conference hall of Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi stated that the government has taken serious note of the ILP issue. The state cabinet as well as the Congress Legislature Party had discussed the issue time and again. The merits and demerits of implementing Inner Line Permit System have been discussed thoroughly, he noted.
Chief Minister further maintained that the Ministry of Home Affairs has lifted the Restricted Area Permit and Protected Area Permit from the state to enable free entry of foreign tourists. However, Article 19 (B) of the Indian Constitution guarantees to every citizen the right to free movement and settlement in any part of India.
The Inner Line Permit System has been implemented in the states of Nagaland and Mizoram since 1873 during the British Rule. The government is for the welfare of the people and it knows the sentiments of the people well, Ibobi asserted.
The agenda of today’s cabinet meeting was the introduction of Inner Line Permit System in the state of Manipur and its resolution was to urge the government of India to extend provisions of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873 to the state of Manipur.
Chief Minister Ibobi further contended that the resolution taken by the state cabinet could also be taken by the state government but the provision of Inner Line Permit System is out of the preview of state government.
