Newmai News Network IMPHAL | AUGUST 12 A relay hunger strike under the banner of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) continues in support of the campaign for introduction of ILP in Manipur. On Thursday, nearly 100 protesters from the Nightingale Nursing Institute, Porompat and All Manipuri Meitei-Pangal Traditional & Cultural Association took part in the relay hunger strike at the Keishampat Leimajam Leikai community hall in Imphal West. The protestors have also been demanding the state government to immediately withdraw a wanted tag imposed against former convenor of JCILPS, Ratan Khomdram. Meanwhile, the state government on Wednesday finalized the draft of a new bill intended to safeguard the interests of the indigenous people of Manipur with the bill defining local people and non-local people. According to the new bill, local people are those persons who are citizens of India and who have been residents of the state of Manipur immediately before the attainment of Statehood on January 1, 1972. Earlier, the President of India rejected a Protection of Manipur People Bill (PMP), 2015 which was passed in the state assembly under intense pressure from the public stir spearheaded by the JCILPS. The state government has sought suggestions and opinions of the people in connection with the new bill. Passing of the PMP Bill sparked tension in the hill districts of the state. Nine protesters were killed in confrontations with security forces in Churachandpur district. The bodies, still lying in the district hospital, are yet to be buried as a joint action committee against “anti-tribal bills” is continuing the protest. The primary objective of the new bill, which may be called the Manipur Regulation of Non-Local People Act, 2016, is to regulate the entry of non-local people into Manipur. It also seeks to provide protection, maintenance and socio-economic and cultural balance of the local people of Manipur for maintenance of peace and public order. Apart from the entry of non-local people, the new bill also seeks to regulate the exit of non-local people from Manipur. For the purposes of this Act, the state government said it will establish a Directorate of Registration of Non-Local People and tenants consisting of a director and as many officers and staff as it may consider necessary. Every non-local people entering the state should register himself or herself with the Directorate of Registration of Non-Local People.
