Urgency of Inner Line Permit system implementation stressed

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL, Aug 9: The urgency in mplementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur marked the World Indigenous Day observation in Manipur.Organised by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System in Manipur (JCILPS), speakers stressed on the urgency in implementing the Inner Line Permit System in Manipur during World Indigenous Day observation held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compund in Imphal.

Former tribal minister RV Mingthing ILP is a must in Manipur to save or protect the indigenous people of Manipur. He suggested that civil society organisations and the government should give needed effort to implement the ILP in Manipur or else the very existence of indigenous people both in the hills and the valley will be put under great threat."In order to safeguard and give due respect to the rights of the indigenous people, the implementation of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur is a must," RV Mingthing observed.The tribal leader then said a commissioner had abolished the ILP in Manipur several years ago. "It is equally important to investigate whether the matter was brought up in the Parliament prior to the abolition of the ILP in Manipur by the commissioner in question," RV Mingthing added.Also speaking on the occasion, co-convenor of JCILPS, Joy Chingakham implementation of Inner Permit System in Manipur is for the safe future of the indigenous people of Manipur. He said the rights of the indigenous people as granted by the United Nations have not been fully implemented.Dr T. Lunkim, chairman of of the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights expressed resentment for terming the Kukis as 'new settlers' of the region by certain elements.

According to Dr T. Lunkim, the Kukis have been settling in the North East region as of any other indigenous people of the region.Meanwhile, in connection with the World Indigenous Day observation, a massive cycle rally was organised by the students' wing of JCILPS from Nambol Higher Secondary School in Bishenpur district to Lamyanba Shanglen in Imphal East district.Around 300 students holding placards that read, "Indigenous peoples' demands should be granted," "The objective of World Indigenous Day is for the promotion and protection of the indigenous peoples' rights," "Save indigenous people in Manipur," and "The state government should implement ILP in Manipur," cycled from Nambol to Palace Compound.