Stumbling blocks on road to ILP
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: July 14, 2012 -

Womenfolk demanding reintroduction of Inner Line Permit system :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

To which side of the fence you are in, it is all the same, when it comes to the game of politics.

This has been amply demonstrated once again by the conduct of all the honourable elected representatives of the people in Manipur.

The half-hearted approach of the honourable Members, both in the Ruling and the Opposition Bench, towards the demand for re-introduction of Inner Line Permit system (ILP) in Manipur has only shown their lack of commitment over an important issue, the negligence of which would have serious implication not just on the demographic composition of the tiny resource-starved state but also on the socio-economic and cultural identity of the native people.

It's preposterous to see that while an indecisive government, which cannot think of apply its own mind over anything without rushing to consult the Centre first, has made the matter more complicated; an equally wimpy Opposition has only toed the line without a whimpering sound of questioning.

What is there to make out between the decision taken by the State Cabinet on July 12 to urge the Government of India for extension of the provisions of The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873 to the state of Manipur and the subsequent Private Member Resolution of the Opposition which was adopted in the State Assembly on July 13? Save for the difference of one day between the Cabinet decision and the Assembly resolution, at least, we don't see anything new.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the only impediment towards re-introduction of Inner Line Permit system or putting in place some sort of regulations to check uninterrupted flow of 'outsiders' into Manipur is nothing but lack of sincerity and political commitment on the part of our honourable elected representatives, regardless of whether they are in the Opposition or the Ruling.

If they were really concern about the welfare of the state and its people, the elected representatives should start looking beyond their vote banks and sources of moolah during elections, and try to understand that the demand for re-introduction of ILP is construed well within the existing framework of Indian Constitution and its obligation to various International instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and the latest UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.

If the elected representatives were actually serious about the issue, why should they have waited for the last day of the Assembly session to adopt a resolution that too after some Opposition MLAs moved a Private Member Resolution in the House? Throwing the ball in the court of the Centre to wash their hands off the issue would not bring any good.

What are our honourable elected representatives going to do if Centre gives another thumb down over the proposal? Can the people expect to see their representatives putting their feet down and submitting resignations from their respective posts?

What a silly idea !