Panel discussion on ILPS : State Government urged to take a concrete stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 18 2013: A panel discussion programme on implementation of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in Manipur was held today under the aegis of JCILPS and it resolved that the State Government should adopt a concrete decision after tabling the issue of implementing ILPS as a Government resolution during the winter session of the State Assembly.

The panel discussion programme on "Reasons and factors for non-implementation of ILP System in Manipur despite two-time unanimous resolutions by Manipur Legislative Assembly" was held at Manipur Press Club as a part of observing the Permit System Deprivation Day.

The panel resolved that the issue should be tabled in the State Assembly during the winter session as a Government resolution to adopt a concrete decision for the same matter has been already endorsed by the State Assembly twice and also by the Cabinet.

Panel members lighting the candle

In case the first resolution cannot be translated into action, the State Government should enact a suitable law which can protect indigenous people from the onslaught of immigrants.

This was the second resolution of the panel discussion programme.

It also agreed to expand the existing legal and constitutional expert committee of JCILPS in order to ensure that there are no legal loopholes in implementing the first two resolutions.

JCILPS convenor H Ibotombi Khuman, former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam, former Minister Okram Joy, former Union Minister and BJP State unit president Th Chaoba, former Minister Prof Gangmumei Kamei, former Speaker Dr Maniruddin Sheikh took part in the discussion programme as president, panel members and moderator respectively.

Speaking at the gathering, JCILPS co-convenor Mutum Churamani said that the permit which was in force in the past was abolished on November 18, 1950.It was in remembrance of this day that the Permit System Deprivation Day is being observed.

In view of India's teeming population of 121 crore, it is essential to devise a system which can check influx of people from other parts of India in order to protect the identity of indigenous people.

In addition, Manipur is now becoming popular destination for illegal immigrants from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal which has a direct bearing on the political and economic landscape of the State.

It is questionable why ILPS is not implemented in Manipur even after the State Assembly had adopted a private member resolution on July 13, 2012 in favour of implementing in ILPS in the State.

Apart from the Cabinet decision adopted on July 12, 2012 to re-introduce ILPS, the State Assembly adopted a similar resolution on June 13 this year.

The nature of State Government dealing with the issue looks like face saving and situation management exercises, Churamani said.

Radhabinod Koijam said that Manipur had its own law/system of regulating movement of immigrants before it was made a part of India.

The same system was enforced by a decision of the Manipur State Durbar.

When the Constitution of India came into force in 1950, all the existing laws of Manipur were superseded by Indian laws.

ILPS being talked about at present is an extension of the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873 .

Nonetheless, Article 19 (V) of the Indian Constitution has a provision of extending or adopting laws which were earlier in force.

The same provision can be invoked either in the interest of general public or in order to protect the interest of any Scheduled Tribe, Radhabinod said.

He further remarked that the first resolution of the State Assembly adopted on July 13, 2012 was erroneous technically and impractical.

Th Chaoba said that it is crucial to ascertain the degree of seriousness State Government showed when it sent the Cabinet decision and Assembly resolutions to the Centre.

It is questionable how sincere is the State Government on the issue.

An effective land use policy can also be formulated as alternative measure of checking unrestraint influx.

The policy can incorporate such provisions as prohibition on sale of land to outsiders, Chaoba said.