CSOs observe

IMPHAL, Nov 18: Several civil society organisations have jointly commemorated the 22nd year of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) movement at Manipur Press Club here today.
The commemorative event was jointly organised by IPSA, ACOAM-Lup, PANDM, IPAK, Kanglamei, KIL, CLK and KSA with the primary objective of documenting and enthusing more spirit to the movement.
The function was graced by observation committee chairman Ibotombi Khuman, Kanglamei president Yumnam Leirik and KIL president RK Sanahanbi as presidium members.
Many CSO leaders including those directly involved in organising the commemorative event recounted the ILPS movement in the State.
Ibotombi Khuman said that the ILPS movement started in the State many decades back but it took a concrete shape after publication of the book ‘The Influx of Migrants into Manipur’ by the United Committee Manipur (UCM).
AMSU’s strong anti-foreigner movement of 1979/1980 was followed by the ILPS movement.
Subsequently, eight organisations joined hands, formed the ILP Demand Committee and launched mass movements demanding implementation of ILPS in the State on November 18, 1997. In the next phase, a number of CSOs came together and formed the JCILPS in 2012. It subsequently led to passage of the Manipur People Bill in 2018 by the Manipur State Assembly, Ibotombi recounted.
However, the Bill is yet to be given assent by the President of India, he lamented. It appears that JCILPS has been unable to pay full attention to the pending Bill on account of the many pressing issues besieging the State, he remarked.
Nonetheless, if the State Government pursues the Bill actively, the indigenous people of Manipur can be protected, he added.