IMPHAL, August 18: The Senior Citizens for Society (SCS) today met the Chief Minister regarding the preparation of the ILP bill and also shared concerns over the present turmoil, according to its secretary Khaidem Mani.
Speaking to media persons at the Manipur Press Club, Mani said a five member team of the society met the Chief Minister today.
`We feel that the five-point demand of the JCILPS has been incorporated by the government except for some minor modification/editing of language,`™ Khaidem Mani.
He said at this juncture it would be appropriate for the JCILPS to get involved in the drafting process to ensure that the end result is acceptable to all stake holders.
We are not against outsiders coming here instead we need to boost entry of outsiders to promote tourism under a regulated system, he said.
He also said that the SCS endorse the legitimate five-point demand of the JCILPS.
Mani also said that the public is wary of the manner the government has acted in the past and there is widespread mistrust of the government among the general public.
Now the public is not convinced with just assurance from the government, he continued.
Although the movement has been gaining much momentum with almost every section of the society joining in, lately some miscreants under the influence of intoxicants seem to have hijacked the genuine movement, he observed.
Despite the repeated appeal from the JCILPS for the agitators to provide free passage to essential services like media, health, religious services, agitators continue to harass people from these services, he elaborated.
Unfortunately, a divide has also crept in among the leaders of the movement as is evident from the JCILPS SW and DESAM row, he continued.
Now, we are witnessing bandhs and general strikes being imposed even without any early announcement from anywhere, which is creating much inconvenience to the public, he observed.
There are also several cases of provocation among groups of agitators, he said.
Patients who are being taken to the hospital have been affected with cases of even death being reported, Mani continued.
This is unfortunate and at the same time, the support from the people to such an important movement seems to be dwindling, he said.
It is important for the agitators to follow the directives of the JCILPS or to make prior announcement of any general strike or bandh, Mani observed.
The JCILPS which is spearheading the movement, should also put a check on the unruly behaviours of its volunteers and revert the movement back in its proper direction, he continued.
The JCILPS should also address the present pattern of anarchy and chaos and take timely suggestions from the experts and intellectuals, he further proposed.
The present movement is fully justified as it is a demand for a legal mechanism to protect the indigenous people, said general secretary SCS Laishram Sadananda.
However, the approach of the agitators and the inconveniences it is causing to the general public is also becoming a concern, he added.
The split visible in among the students is unfortunate, Sadananda observed.
The press meet was also attended by other members of the Senior Citizens Society.
The SCS also expressed concern over the tension in Moreh area and appealed to all for peaceful settlement of misunderstandings and reiterated that the ILPS is in the interest of all communities of the State.