IMPHAL, July 20: Reacting to the remarks of Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam that the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) is not willing to talk with the government on ILP issue despite sending invitations, the JCILPS clarified that there has been no formal invitation from the government as of now to hold talk.
A statement of JCILPS revealed that the committee received a letter from the office of Chief Minister to hold a meeting on the issue on July 15 at around 2 pm just after the controversial Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 was withdrawn during an emergency sitting of Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The request was rejected by the committee suspecting a hidden agenda on part of the government. The government had sent an invitation to the committee on July 14 wanting to hold a meeting of which the committee replied back the next day, it said.
However, there has been no reply from the government, it said.
The unwarranted remarks of the deputy Chief Minister could be seen as an attempt to create a rift between the JCILPS and the people which will not succeed, it asserted.
There has to be a solution to the ongoing mass agitation which cannot be brought about by holding a meeting that also in a hurried manner, the JCILPS statement said.
Stating that the committee will welcome any positive steps taken up by the government according to the wishes of the people regarding enactment of a new bill to monitor the rampant entry of non-locals into the State, the statement questioned the sincerity and commitment of the government on enacting such a new bill.
Apparent failure to implement the ILPS or any other law is due to lack of political will on part of the government, the JCILPS said.
The only solution to the ongoing mass agitation is enactment of a new strong bill within the deadline set by the committee and such a solution cannot be brought by convening a mere meeting devoid of any agenda, it said.
Six core members of the committee were arrested by police in connection with the ILPS movement. They were put in the lock up of Porompat Police Station. However, they were released the following day, with the authorities concern claiming that they were picked up for a meeting with the Chief Minister and that they were not arrested, it said.
The people are well aware of such drama staged by the government, the statement contended.
Pledging that the ongoing agitation will not be ceased till a new bill is passed by the government within the deadline set by it, it appealed to the people to continue with staging of sit-in-protest, rally, formation of human chain and storming residences of MLAs and Ministers to press the government to enact a new bill acceptable to the people within the set deadline.