IMPHAL, August 20: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has stated that the all political parties committee formed to address the vexed issue of ILP implementation in the State is trying hard to find a solution with the help of legal experts and prominent intellectuals from Manipur University.
He was replying to media persons about the progress made by the all political parties committee on the ILP issue during the occasion of the birth anniversary of late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Congress Bhawan in BT Road today.
Stressing that the committee is committed to finding a timely solution on the ILP issue, the deputy CM said that it was unfortunate that some individuals with vested interests were questioning the commitment of the committee to politicise the issue.
The ILP issue is sensitive and complicated and we have requested some legal experts, intellectuals in Manipur University and a retired justice for their suggestions on the ILP issue, he said.
Gaikhangam said we are waiting for their response but that doesn’t mean that the government is trying to delay the issue or divert attention from it.
We are not yet quite sure whether the State government can enact a law to implement ILP on its own or if it is purely within the purview of the Central government, he said adding that the State government is also not sure about the methodologies or approach to be adopted while mounting pressure on the Central government.
The deputy CM said we have to examine the various aspects of ILP before taking a hasty decision.
Commenting on the court’s ruling on Tuesday for the release of Irom Sharmila who has been on a fast for many years demanding the repeal of the draconian Armed Forces Special power Act, 1958 from Manipur and entire North-east, he said the judgment of the court has not been received till today and it has to be examined carefully what is exactly contained in the judgement.
The deputy CM said he has not been briefed about the matter by his officers and added that the government is concerned about Sharmila’s life as her life is precious to all the people of Manipur.
He also said that he attended a formal discussion of the Congress party as part of a routine consultation of the AICC but could not meet Sonia Gandhi during his visit.
