IMPHAL, Sep 6 : The United Committee Manipur (UCM) and other civil organizations which have been demanding the reintroduction of the Inner Line Permit in Manipur were disappointed by the statement of the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs that it is not possible to introduce the ILP in Manipur. These organizations which have been leaving no stone unturned in this regard may not take it lightly.
The ILP was withdrawn from Manipur in 1953 for unexplained reasons. However it is still in force in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. It has not been explained why ILP cannot be implemented in Manipur despite the fact that there are similar social and demographic conditions like the other States having IPL.
Sources however said that the Home Affairs officials might have prepared the reply to the question by T Meiyna, MP from Manipur long before the Central Government had received the Assembly resolution sent by the State Government. It may be recalled that in the last monsoon session 60 members of the assembly had adopted an unanimous resolution to approach the centre for the reintroduction of the ILP. The UCM which heads a committee demanding the reintroduction said that it will wait till November 18 for the government's decision. If the ILP is not implemented within that day the civil organizations threatened to implement ILP on its own. This is an ominous sign which may lead to confrontations.
Manipur is one of the Northeastern States which is reeling under the influx of foreigners and outsiders. In the last few days the police had rounded up foreigners some of whom were sent to judicial custody. While the process of detection of the foreigners was going on several foreigners tried to intrude to Manipur from Jiribam. However police deported 161 foreigners.
The civil organizations have not taken a kind view of the police detection of the foreigners. They alleged “ Realizing that ILP will be reintroduced sooner, the Government detecting few foreigners is just a cheap publicity stunt.” The UCM leaders said that there are over 7 lakh foreigners and outsiders in Manipur and the government cannot detect and deport all of them. Much trouble is in the offing, it is observed.
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