IMPHAL, March 1 � Sit-in demonstrations demanding the introduction of the proposed Bill on Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) to protect and preserve the indigenous population, in the ongoing Manipur Assembly session, were held all over the State capital here today.
�We are participating in the sit-in to demand for the introduction of the Bill on ILPS,� said a women in the sit-in at Imphal Market. The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) had organised the sit-in protests here today.
According to a report compiled by United Committee Manipur on �Influx of Migrants into Manipur�, the number of migrants (7,04,488) outnumbered the State�s indigenous tribal population (6,70,782) while the majority indigenous Meetei was just 9,18,626 as per 2001 Census.
On Saturday, the JCILPS had decided to boycott the last day of the ongoing Manipur Assembly session on March 3 if the State Government failed to table the proposed ILP Bill in the House tomorrow. The decision was announced by JCILPS leaders at a press conference here.
Accusing the State Government as �dishonest and insincere�, JCILPS convenor Ibotombi Khuman informed that it will boycott Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers if they fail to table and pass the ILP Bill in the Assembly. He demanded that the CM and Cabinet Ministers �resign in the interest of the people�.
He said the JCILPS members expected that the State Government would introduce the Bill in the ongoing Assembly session following a joint meeting between them with CM, Cabinet Ministers, legal experts and members of all political parties committee on ILP on February 18 last.
Urging the State Government to introduce the much- awaited ILP Bill, he said that the future of the State will be bleak if necessary measures are not taken up in time.
Co-convenor of JCILPS K Ratan said that it will intensify its drive against outsiders and illegal migrants who do not possess valid documents if the State Government failed to pass the Bill in the ongoing Assembly session. He added that those who do not possess valid ID card would be deported.
