Tension in Manipur Over Inner Line Permit Bill

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posted on 8 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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At least five people including three women were injured in police action after police tried to stop a group of protestors, who were moving towards the chief minister's secretariat.

Manipur is witnessing another round of agitation over the Inner Line Permit. The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has intensified its protests for implementation of Inner Line Permit bill, enforcing a 38-hour state-wide ‘bandh’ with effect from 4 am of May 20 till 6 pm of May 21.

The JCILPS protest is against the alleged noncommittal attitude of the Manipur government and all the political parties towards into speedy implementation of the three Inner Line Permit (ILP) related bills which were passed by the Manipur Assembly on August 31, 2015.

At least five people including three women were injured in police action after police tried to stop a group of protestors, who were moving towards the chief minister's secretariat, at Keishampat, around 3:30 pm on Friday. Police had to resort to firing tear gas and mock bombs to disperse the growing mob.

But opposing JCILPS' demand and some of the key provisions in the three bills is Manipur Tribals’ Forum. In a press conference held in Delhi, the forum alleged that bills passed under the banner of Inner Line permit, taken together, directly impinge upon the tribal rights and undermine the existing safeguards for the tribal ‘Hill Areas’ regarding land-ownership and identity.

According to the forum, the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), comprising of all tribal MLAs, set up under Article 371C of the Constitution to protect tribal interests, and whose concurrence is mandatory for all legislations affecting tribal areas, was summarily bypassed in the passing of the Bills.

They also alleged that Manipur police commandos use tear gas, and if necessary rubber bullets for the valley based non-tribal protesters but live bullets for tribal protesters. In September 2015, nine people lost their life in the anti bill protest in Churachandpur district of Manipur after police opened fire on irate protestors.

The fight between the valley and the hills have literally split Manipur wide open. With no solution in sight, this strife will continue, till at least one side blinks.