IMPHAL, July 26: The United Development Association, (UDA), Khangabok organised a one-day seminar on `ILP System and Mass Movement in Manipur`™ today at Manipur Press Club with president of AMBA Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani attending as moderator.
Editor of Naharolgi Thoudang Kh Loyalakpa; retired MU Professor A Lokendra Singh and social scientist Dhanabir Laishram acted as speakers on the topic.
Addressing the gathering, Professor A Lokendra Singh stated that the ILP issue does not crop up suddenly as it is related to the existence of the Foreign Department during the rule of King, which used to monitor the influx of outsiders into the state.
He recalled that the department used to give permit to the outsiders for a certain period and recover tax from them.
When democratic constitution of Manipur was drafted, Hamant Singh who was the first Chief Commissioner of the state dissolved the permit system, he claimed.
Dhanabir Laishram said that all the educational institutions in Greater Imphal were closed down by an order of the government in view of the tense situation following the death of a student during a protest staged demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the state.
He also said that normal class in the educational institutions should be resumed at the earliest otherwise students may resort to launch agitation which in turn will further deteriorate law and order situation.
The government should tackle the participation of students in ILPS movement in appropriate manner and ensure that their education is not affected at any cost.