IMPHAL, July 31 - Braving incessant rain here, men, women and members of the transgender community staged a sit-in demonstration, demanding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Manipur, on Thursday.
The demonstrators held placards which read, �We want ILP System,� etc., during the protest held under the aegis of All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association � a coalition of three community-based organisations � at the Singjamei Super Market complex here.
Similar sit-in demonstrations were also held at Singjamei, Moirangkhom, Yaiskul Chingakham Leirak Machin, Jiri Parking, Wangkhei, Keishampat, Sagolband, etc., demanding the implementation of the ILP system and punishment to the policemen responsible for the death of Sapam Robinhood, a Class XI student, on July 8.
Sapam was reportedly killed during police action against protesters taking out a rally in support of the demand for the implementation of the ILP system or a similar regulation to control the influx of outsiders to Manipur.
Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), which has been spearheading the public movement for the implementation of the ILP system, has announced that it will start a civil disobedience movement with the support of the people of the State.
The JCILPS, a conglomerate of 40 civil society organisations, has been demanding the enforcement of the ILP system as in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram to monitor the influx of outsiders, �which has posed a serious threat to the existence of the indigenous people.�
The combined population of the indigenous people living in the hills and plains of the State is around 18-19 lakh, while the non-locals, including those from Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh, account for more than 10 lakh out of the State�s total population of 28 lakh, according to the JCILPS.
