Mitkap Thokpa Numit observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 17 2009: As in the pervious years, the All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) observed Mitkap Thokpa Numit (Realisation Day) in commemoration of the students movement of 1980 against influx of migrants in Manipur.

In the course of the movement, Lukhoi (Premananda) and Loken were killed in firing by security forces on April 17 and April 18, 1980 respectively.

Young students taking part in the Mikap Thokpa Numit rally

Observing the day, floral tributes were also paid to the departed students at Pishum Ching Students Cemetery.

From there, a large number of people took out a rally till Thangmeiband NCC ground before congregating at the hall of DM College of Science for a public meeting.

The meeting held as part of the 29th Realisation Day observance was attended by MLA K Meghachandra as chief guest, AMSU president Irengbam Jamesbond Mangang as functional president and DESAM secretary Y Ratan as guest of honour.

Giving the key-note address of the function, Md Alamgir observed that the need to drive out migrants is felt more acutely now than in 1980 .

Saying that immigration into Manipur started since 1891.But then the Inner Line Permit System was in force then.

The same system was removed on November 18, 1950 by the then Chief Commissioner opening the floodgates of migrant influx.

As such, there is no part of Manipur where the migrant people could not be seen, Alamgir said.

According to the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reformation Act 1960, people of the valley cannot settle in the hills but ironically migrants are being allowed to settle anywhere including hills, he observed.

Because of such false and misplaced policies, migrant people have reached 30 percent of the total population of Manipur as per the census report of 2001, Alamgir asserted.

Out of total population of immigrants in Manipur, the number of people eligible to vote in the 15th Lok Sabha elections is 3,66,033.Asserting that the issue of migrant influx has reached a critical stage, Alamgir said that the Realisation Day is being observed to bring a collective understanding of the issue.

AMSU president Jamesbond Mangang lamented that while many youths have been killed in gun violence as many others died of drugs and HIV, there has been continuous influx of migrants.

In 1991, only ten percent of the population of Manipur was outsiders.

But the population of non-Manipuris rose to 30 percent in 2001, he said.

DESAM secretary Y Ratan observed that attacking and killing non-locals would not be able to drive them away.

But would leave Manipur on their own when the local people replace them in their various jobs, trades and professions.

Former AMSU president Y Priyokumar asserted that it's time to launch strong civil movements towards re-introducing the Inner Line Permit System in Manipur.