IMPHAL, July 19: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) which is spearheading the collective demand for implementation of ILPS in the state to check the rampant entry of non-locals into the state, has appealed to the people to stage mass sit-in-protests, form human chain and take out torch rally by staying off normal duty on July 20 in solidarity to the legitimate demand.
In a statement, the committee also appealed to continue with different forms of democratic agitation everyday till a strong bill to safeguard the indigenous people from the incessant influx of outsiders into the state is passed by the government.
JCILPS, a conglomerate of 40 civil society organizations formed on July 4, 2012 has been demanding the government to enforce the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 as in neighbouring states Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh to monitor the ever increasing influx of outsiders, which has posed a serious threat to the existence of the indigenous people.
Following the public outcry, the state Assembly unanimously resolved to urge the Central Government to implement the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 in the state of Manipur as well on July 13, 2012. After the government utterly failed to do so, the JCILPS urged the government to enact a state law under Article 19 (5) of Indian Constitution, it said.
As a result, the state Assembly once again resolved to come up with a regulation comprising of ingredients of Inner Line Permit System under Article 19 (5) on July 12, 2013 but again failed to do so. After witnessing public outrage, the government formed an All Political Parties Committee on ILP ahead of the July 2014 Assembly session. Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam was made as Chairman of the committee and MLA RK Anand as Convener on August 4, 2014.
Subsequent upon its formation, the All Political Parties submitted a recommendation to the government on December 10, 2014 after seeking suggestion from intellectuals, academicians, veteran political leaders and lawyers. The 282- paged recommendation suggested that a regulation comprising of six-point could be enforced to monitor the influx of outsiders into the state.
Reiterating that JCILPS was assured by the government that a regulation based on the recommendation of the All Political parties on ILP will be enacted during the March 2015 Assembly session, the statement said the government instead passed the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 excluding the main points recommended by the committee.