IMPHAL, July 27 � The Senior Citizens� Forum (SCF) Manipur and the Transport and Driver Forum have announced that they will extend support to the ongoing agitation over the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in Manipur.
General Secretary of SCF Khaidem Mani said the protest spearheaded by students for the ILPS is correct. The action taken by the police against the protestors is very wrong, the prominent human rights activist said while speaking to media here today. Police officers who are responsible for the atrocities should be arrested and booked according to the law, he demanded.
On Thursday many students were brutally beaten up while they were on way to the State Assembly to lodge their demand for implementation of ILPS in the State like that in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram, to control the inflow of �outsiders� to the State to protect the indigenous population. The next day police also detained around 28 women for raising their voice over the issue. The police action was widely condemned by civil society bodies in the State.
He also further said that the Manipur Assembly has twice taken resolutions for the implementation of ILPS but nothing has been done. The Manipur Government should pressurize the Centre for its implementation.
On the other hand, the Transport & Driver Forum has also announced its support to the ILPS movement in the State. President of the forum, Y Bhupendra Ghosh speaking to press persons here said this movement is now bigger than the movement of Statehood and inclusion of Manipur into 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
