Manipur: Demand for ILP introduction gains ground

Indigenous people's groups in Manipur have launched a statewide agitation demanding introduction of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur to 'protect the interests of locals' by regulating the flow of outsiders to the State.

The Federation of Regional Indigenous Society of Manipur has raised the demand to 'check economic migration from outside and prevent outsiders from settling down in the State to protect the identity of the indigenous population'.

FRIENDS has launched the stir to ensure that Manipur does not face a Tripura-like situation where the original settlers became minorities.

"Once the ILP system is put into operation in the state a methodical investigation will be conducted by the concerned authority against all the migrants in Manipur," Sapamcha Jadumani, president, FRIENDS said.

He said implementation of ILP system would also help the youth of the State to develop work culture. "We should promote work culture and that indigenous people of the State should take up odd jobs of such as hair cutting, cobbling etc which are now done by migrants from outside."

The FRIENDS is critical of politicians in the State for 'showing hesitation in implementing ILP system in Manipur because a number of migrants have been registered as voters the State electoral roll.'

Meanwhile, in response to the persistent demand for introduction of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, Chief Minister O Ibobi has called upon the people to wait for the Centre's response to the State Assembly's private member resolution passed in favour of extending Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 to Manipur.

Ibobi said, "The private member resolution has not been sent to the Centre as yet. Let's wait for the Centre's response after sending it."

The ILP system is now in force in three tribal States of the Northeast -- Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. As per the ILP system, any person willing to travel to those states is required to procure an ILP in advance initially for a seven-day stay which may be extended further on valid reasons that may be found suitable by the local administration.

The ILPs can be collected from resident commissioners' offices of these states located outside in places such as Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi etc. The purpose of ILP is to keep a record of 'outsiders residing in the State' at any given moment.