The long wait to the crackdown
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 31, 2012 -

With Assam burning after sitting atop a volcano which was only waiting to be exploded, Meghalaya has started seeing red over the problem of influx of outsiders with some parts of 'the abode of clouds' already ravaged by teeming illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Nepal.

The situation has compelled as many as 10 social organizations to take a joint decision for launching a mass sit-in-protest demonstration on September 3 to press the demand for implementation of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873 (Inner Line Permit system) in Meghalaya.

Of course, this is not the first time that people of Meghalaya and its administration have felt the need for a stronger legislation not only to check entry of illegal immigrants but also to protect the rights and interest of the native tribals and non-tribals in that state.

In fact, Chief Minister of Meghalaya Mukul Sangma himself had admitted that influx of illegal immigrants into his state was alarming.

Earlier, erstwhile members of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have been very vocal in their demand for a stronger and more effective legislation to check influx of illegal immigrants into Meghalaya. This is kind of concerted effort and commitment essential for pushing forward any demand which is in the interest of the people.

In the light of the trouble brewing in Assam and the wake-up call in Meghalaya, we, the people in Manipur, may look back at the status of our own demand for implementation or re-introduction of Inner Line Permit system.

While the people are not sure whether or not the State Government has forwarded the resolution adopted for the Assembly resolution to the Centre, the latter has made it succinctly clear that it has no plans to accede to the demand for Inner Line Permit system in any new State in the North-east.

On the other hand, the social organizations spear-heading the movements for re-introduction of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur are cooling their heels after the November 18 deadline set to the state Government, instead of striking while the iron is hot.

Amidst all these confusions and uncertainties over the demand for implementation/re-introduction of Inner Line Permit System in the state, the arrest of 43 illegal immigrants including 19 Myanmareses and 24 Bangladeshi Nationals by State Police personnel from Lilong and Hatta areas during a crackdown has come to light.

The most interesting part of 'successful' crackdown is the confirmation of the police that majority of the arrested illegal immigrants had entered Manipur over the last one decade, although the state administration had been insisting that there are no population of illegal immigrants in Manipur all these years.

What is even more funnier is the claim of Home Minister Gaikhangam that the crackdown was launched following receipt of specific information.

Does this means that the intelligence apparatus in the state are so weak that the state administration has no idea about these illegal immigrants who have been staying in the state comfortably for over one decade now?

Mr Home Minister, your answer, please.