IMPHAL, April 17: Students shouted slogans demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State at the earliest during a rally taken out as part of the 35th Meekap Thokpa Numit or Realisation Day today.
The observation was organised by the All Manipur Students`™ Union commemorating the 1980s Anti-Foreigner movement and Potshangbam Lukhoi and Huidrom Loken who were killed in police firing during the movement.
Since early morning, students from across the State paid rich floral tributes to portraits of (L) Loken and (L) Premananda at their memorial site at Pishum Chinga. From there the students took a peaceful rally upto the Multi-purpose Hall of DM College, Imphal passing through Keishamthong, Keishampat and Nagamapal.
The main observation was held at the DM College Multi-purpose hall.
Speaking at the function, AMSU secretary general Manjit Sarangthem said history of human civilisation is replete with stories of larger communities absorbing smaller ones.
He said in India the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the indigenous Tripuris of Tripura are some examples of smaller communities facing extinction.
Like their fate, it would be hard to say what would happen to the indigenous population of Manipur in case the ILPS or a similar system is not implemented in the State, he said.
President of Tripura Students` and Youth Co-ordination Committee, Advocate K Dhirendra Singhga who was also present at the function stated that indigenous population throughout the entire NE region of India are facing real threats to their very existence today.
He also recounted the situation of the indigenous people of Tripura.
The advocate said that the Tripuri kings had reserved 60 percent of land in Tripura for the indigenous population, however, he implementation of the Land Reformation Act, 1980 by the Indian government has created a great threat to the very existence of the indigenous population.
It is high time for the government to formulate a policy or law to protect the indigenous population, he added.
The observation was attended by associate prof of Life Science department Manipur University (former AMSU president) Dr N Mohilal Meitei, AMSU president S Subah Chandra , asst prof Pol Science Imphal College RK Itocha, asst prof Economics Manipur College L Gojendro, secretary general NESO Sinan Prakash, president All Assam Manipuri Student Union (AAMSU) Seram Herajit, Tripura Students` and Youth Co-ordination Committee president advocate K Dhirendra Singhga, Shillong Manipur Students` Union (SMSU) president Sangba Huidrom as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.