IMPHAL, May 16 : The 48 hours total shutdown called by the JAC against the anti-tribal Bills in the tribal areas of Manipur against the decision of the All Political Parties meeting to send a team to Delhi to pressurise the Centre to enact the three Bills passed on August 31 last year came into force from midnight today.
The total shutdown is backed by United Naga Council (UNC) and Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF).
Last Monday, the State Government decided to depute an all-party delegation to persuade the Central leaders to enact the three ILP related Bills which aim to protect the interests of all indigenous communities in Manipur.
The passing of the Bills on August 31 last year sparked controversy which subsequently led to violent protests in Churachandpur district where nine protesters were killed when they confronted armed police.
The three Bills are currently pending with the President awaiting his assent.
The Churachandpur JAC has also accused the State Government of being partial towards the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS).
The UNC had also criticised the State Government’s decision to approach the Centre on the ILP issue. It had announced its decision to endorse the 48-hours total shutdown. The Naga body said the passing of the Bills has further divided the tribals and valley people.
The Mizo People’s Convention (MPC) has also condemned the resolution of the May 9 meeting of the All Political Parties chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
The decision of the All Political Parties came following mounting pressure from JCILPS.
The JCILPS has demanded that the All Political Parties should impress upon the Centre to enact the three Bills before the ensuing polls to Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) scheduled to be held on June 2. It threatened to boycott the polls if the pressing demand was not fulfilled.
Naga Political Leaders’ Forum, Manipur argued that the Protection of Manipur Peoples (PMP) Bill, 2015, which is supposed to be based on National Registration of Citizens, 1951, Census Report 1951 and the Village Directory 1951 for detection of migrants for determining indigenous people, are found to be invalid documents for the purpose (according to Assistant Director of Ministry of Home Affairs, Directorate of Census Operations, Manipur).
Besides ILP issue, Manipur is facing a slew of problems like the demand of Scheduled Tribe status for the majority Meitei community, which has apparently caused a rift amongst various social organisations.
