Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 31:
A workshop on reintroduction of Inner Line Permit System in the State was organised yesterday at Nongpok Sekmai Sikhong by United Women's Development Organisation and Inner Line Permit Demand Committee, said a press release issued by the Committee.
Addressing the workshop, convenor of ILP Demand Committee Yumnamcha Dilipkumar noted that the all the prices of essential commodities and items are being fixed by the people from outside the State as the Manipur Chambers of Commerce is also controlled by them.
The permit system/passport system introduced by the British administration during the colonial period to protect the numerically tiny indigenous peoples of Manipur was abolished in November 18, 1950 by the then Chief Commissioner Himat Singh under the influence of Indian leaders, said president of IPSA H Ibotombi.
Mentioning of article 19 (5), 19 (1) (d) and (e) of the Indian Constitution which guarantees freedom of movement and right to settle anywhere within the territory of India, he noted that the same Constitution also permits to impose reasonable restriction against such rights if the such free settlement affects the rights and interest of general public and scheduled tribes of a particular State.
While the State and Central Govts have been making all efforts to save the rare Sangai, Siroi Lily etc, he questioned as to why there has been no effort to protect the indigenous peoples of Manipur from rendering them a minority in their own land because of influx of people from outside the State, it conveyed.