THOUBAL, March 26: A sit in protest was held at Thoubal market today in connection with the demand for repeal of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 today.
The protest cum meeting was jointly organised by Thoubal Apunba Lup (TAL) and Thoubal Keithel Apunba Nupi Lup. During the protest JCILPS Co Convenor, Md. Kheiruddin Shah, BK Moirangcha, JCILPS Women Wing Convenor, L. Nganbi, Convenor, Arjun Telheiba, Executive member, Chingkheinganbi Devi, KAWA President, AK Memcha, Nupi Khunai President, Ima Ibetombi spoke on various topics.
In his speech, Convenor, MD. Kheiruddin has said that it will be better for the CM to change the Bill instead of pointing out that the bill can be altered several times. The bill was made for the benefit of migrants and for the extinction of indigenous people. The bill should be withdrawn before the Governor gave approval, said the Convenor. He further stated that JCILPS will continue its movement till a bill to protect the indigenous people is issues. He also appealed to all to support the movement till the demand is accepted.
Convenor BK Moirangcha also stated that the act of the CM is to gain support from Delhi government. He further said that before Manipur became part of India, Permit System of Entre and Exit was issues. However, the then Chief Minister withdrew the bill on November 18, 1950. Since then, the arrival of non-Manipuris has risen by more than 1/3rd of the indigenous people. He further read out the contents of the bill and stated that the bill is truly made for the non-Manipuris and to support them as well.
President of KAWA, AK Memcha expressed that the bill was passed forcibly by the Chief Minister for the non-Manipuris. She further said that Ibobi is not fit to be the Chief Minister anymore and demanded that he should resign.
Afterwards, various statements were also made during the meeting. The statements were to demand the withdrawal of the bill, to support the movement of JCILPS demanding implementation of ILP and to support of Non Cooperation Movement against non-Manipuris. The protestors also made ply cards with slogans such as `Don`™t Invite Other Volcanic ILP Agitation`™, `Make Law to protect the indigenous people`™, etc.