Heated exchanges, uproarious scenes mark 3rd day of session
CM assures of pressing Centre to implement ILP
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 26 2011: Accepting the need of implementing the Inner Line Permit system in the state, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi today told the House that the state cabinet will take a decision on the implementation of the ILP in the state and will press the Centre for the same.

"The introduction and abolition of protected area permit (PAP) and inner line permit (ILP) is not the subject of the state government, only Central government is authorized to execute it.

The state government can however urge the Centre on the matter," said Ibobi.

Speaking on the third day of the 11th session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly today, the chief minister defended against the private member's resolution moved by MLA N Mangi for the introduction of inner line permit system in Manipur.

Protected area permit (PAP) was lifted on the first day of January this year for one year on a trial basis following the state government's persistent pressure on the Central government.

Neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Myanmar etc.

are however still required to obtain the permit if they desire to visit Manipur, said the chief minister and added that expert views must be sought on ILP before arriving at any decision on the matter.

Moving the motion, MLA Mangi cautioned the house that the absence of ILP could make Manipur vulnerable to international and national terrorist organizations and networks.

He noted recent incidents of dubious networking agents and companies cheating the people of the state with crores of money and said that such vulnerability could inflict serious damage on the future of the state.

He observed a dichotomy that despite the increase in the overall population of Manipur, the indigenous ethnic population has dwindled.

He said that the reason is because of the heavy influx of migrants in the state during the preceding decades.

According to 2001 census report, the total population of Manipur was 22.98 lac, of which the migrant population is recorded at about 7.48 lac, which is almost equal to the Meitei population of 7.54 lac and much more than tribal population of 6.70 lac, he said.

Senior opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam pitched in during the discussion and argued for the introduction of ILP saying that most of the forested areas of Jiribam have now been encroached by Bangladeshis and the Indo-Myanmar border town of Moreh has also been overwhelmed by the Burmese.

However, the chief minster on his part refused to accept the argument.

He sought to clarify that the Bangladeshis have been settling in Jiribam for the last one century, even before India got its independence.

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