NNN
IMPHAL, February 15
Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) today slammed Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang for calling three ILP Bills passed by the Manipur Assembly as ‘Unconstitutional and anti-tribal.’
At a press meet here at Keishampat, JCILPS co-convenor Khomdram Ratan said the speech of TR Zeliang delivered during Lui-Ngai-Ni celebration at Tangkhul Nagalong ground in Manipur’s Ukhrul district was tantamount to showing ‘utter disrespect’ to the neighbouring state of Manipur.
The Nagaland CM attended the opening ceremony of Lui-Ngai-Ni festival as the chief guest yesterday. Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla was the chief guest of the celebration today. Lui-Ngai-Ni is the biggest Naga seed sowing festival.
Ratan urged the Manipur government to take appropriate action against TR Zeliang for his ‘unfounded’ remarks. He said TR Zeliang’s speech was irrational and that he should aware of the fact that he is a leader of the Nagaland state where ILP is still in force.
TR Zeliang who visited Manipur to participate in the festival should know that the Bills do not infringe upon the interests of the Manipur tribal community and that the contents of these Bills are not unconstitutional either, Ratan insisted.
Meanwhile, the JCILPS leader announced that the organisation would kick-off poster campaign, street corner meeting and non-cooperation movement to pressurise the government to enact the three ILP Bills into law and safeguard the interests of the indigenous people.
JCILPS spearheaded a sustained agitation which lasted more than two months demanding the Manipur government to protect the indigenous people by ILP or a similar Act to regulate the unchecked influx of migrants or non-Manipuris into the state. The Manipur Assembly finally passed the three Bills under public pressure on August 31 last year. Ratan further demanded that all non-locals staying in Manipur should ensure that they possess identity cards issued by the Manipur Labour Department under the Labour Law of India and announced that the JCILPS would start checking the same.
He also said people from outside the state should not be allowed to take part in the upcoming Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducted examination other than those people from the state, who can speak Manipuri.
