IMPHAL, August 17: Reacting to the State Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi’s strongly worded Independence Day speech against students being used in the movement for Inner Line Permit System demand, the JCILPS spearheading the movement has said students are not instigated to join.
Moments after the Chief Minister had started his speech during the Independence Day celebration at the 1st Manipur Rifles ground on August 15, students of several schools participating in the day’s march past parade had erupted with slogans demanding ILPS implementation.
The Chief Minister perturbed by the sloganeering students had termed the agitating students as ‘misguided,’ and had said it is unfortunate that students are being used as tools to raise certain demands in the State.
Ibobi had also added that even during times of war, places like hospitals and schools are left untouched, but in the State, students are being used to an undesirable degree, he had lamented.
Answering to the Chief Minister, the Joint Committee on inner Liner Permit System students’ wing spokesperson Angamba said the students were shouting on their own and they had not been instigated to do so.
Speaking to media persons at the DESAM office today, Angamba said the students are aware of the issue and understand why the ILPS should be implemented in the State.
He said the Chief Minister has said in his speech that the academic environment should not be disturbed, however, he had himself done so by closing down schools unnecessarily.
Commenting further on the Chief Minister’s speech, the student leader said although the Chief Minister has assured that he takes the ILPS issue seriously, there has been no positive response to prove it.
He said if the Chief Minister was sincere, then he should let the public know the discussion he had had with the Centre on the issue.
It is upto the MLAs to bring development in the State.
Meanwhile, demonstrations seeking implementation of the ILPS continued today at various places.
Along with organising sit in protests and other forms of agitations, the JCILPS today started organising mobile public meetings during sit in protests.
Sit in protest with public meetings were held at Sogalband Thingom Leikai, Lamlai Napetpalli Bazar organised by Chingtam Peace & Development Organisation, Awang Potsangbam Khunou, Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen and Moirang Bazar today.
Our Bishnupur Correspondent adds: As part of the ongoing agitation for ILP implementation in the state, the JCILPS has jointly organised a sit-in-protest cum public meeting with All Moirang Women Upliftment Association, Moirang, Citizen’s Club and Apunba Nupi Lup (ANUL), Moirang Unit and Khuman Youth Club (KYC), Moirang at Thoibi Awun Keithel, Moirang today.
The meeting was attended by Councillor, Moirang Municipal Council, Ph Bheigyabati Devi as chief guest, President of Bishnupur District Committee, K. Padama Devi as president and vice-president of ANUL, L Pramo as guest of honour. President of ANUL, Bishnupur, O Sumati, secretary of AMWUA, A Tilotama and member of JCILPS, Sunil Karam, president of NIPCO and president of UPF, BM Yaima were the resource persons.
Placards with slogans such as ‘Implement ILP in Manipur, No Permit No Entry into Manipur, Save Manipur’s Endangered Human Species, Save Land of the Indigenous People, No land ownership to non-Manipuri, Enact land law for indigenous people’ were displayed during the meeting.
Moreover, the President of Moirang District Auto Owners’ and Drivers’ Welfare Association has expressed to the media that the association will organise agitations demanding ILP implementation by six Auto associations in Moirang area. As a result, auto services in Moirang will come to a halt on August 19. The association has also requested for cooperation from the public regarding their agitation.
