Imphal, September 3 (NNN): A huge procession is set to take out in the Manipur valley tomorrow (Sunday) which will be followed by a torch rally in the night to be staged under the banner of the JCILPS Women Wing to pressurize the state government into a clear decision to introduce and pass a new anti-migrant bill in the ongoing monsoon session of the state assembly.
Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) spearheading the ILP demand stir rued that the Manipur government has refused to introduce a new bill to "safeguard the interest of indigenous people" in the assembly.
It has reiterated its stand to disallow adjournment of the assembly sine die until the proposed bill is tabled and passed in the House. The current session of the Manipur Assembly has only two sittings.
After conveying its readiness, the government later convinced time factor had compelled it to change its decision to introduce the bill.
The Joint Committee’s Women Wing convenor Thongam Apabi at a press meet today echoed the same demand and called upon the people to join hands and intensify agitation.
“We also seek support from all political parties which are urged to turn away from electioneering for the time being. We should all press together for the demand. People from all walks of life are appealed to join the intensified ILP stir,” she said.
She announced that a huge procession and a torch rally will be taken out tomorrow to pressure the government. Giving a call for intensifying the stir on September 4 and 5, Apabi said the campaign for implementation of ILP was receded after the government assured to table the proposed bill and pass in the assembly.
Activists of Women Wing, JCILPS yesterday held a protest rally here at Keishampat demanding the government to introduce ILP bill in the current assembly session. They shouted several slogans against the government’s announcement that no bill on ILP will be introduced in the House.
Students’ Wing of the Joint Committee during a press meet at JCILPS office also on Friday warned of intensifying ILP stir in the backdrop of the government decision.
Manipur was on boil for over four months last year due to ILP stir. Three bills related to ILP were passed in the assembly under intense public pressure but they failed to get assent from the President of India who had rejected one of the bills.
A new draft bill was later prepared by the state government to substitute for the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015 withheld by the President.
Meanwhile, the first death anniversary of Sapam Robinhood who was killed in police crackdown during ILP movement last year was observed at his residence located at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai in Imphal East.
