Tighter ILP rules must to serve the purpose
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: December 31, 2024 -

EVEN though the inner line permit (ILP) system is a mechanism aimed at regulating entry and exit of non-locals, occasional reports about apprehending outsiders and sending them off to their native states for violation of the ILP rules merit urgent introspection by the stakeholders concerned to ensure that re-introduction of the legislation serve the purpose and honour the sacrifices made by the people, including those who suffered grievous injuries and lost their lives.

It is worth recalling that prior to Manipur's merger with India, there was restrictions on entry of outsiders, only for the rule to be lifted in 1951 by the then chief commissioner Himmat Singh, allowing unregulated entry of non-natives.

Notably, the public agitation gained momentum after a class 11 student Sapam Robinhood, who had joined a protest demanding implementation of the ILP system, was killed in police crackdown.

Moreover, amid the intense agitation there were rumours that ILP agitation is a Meetei ploy to gain the Scheduled Tribe status and an attempt to grab the land of the tribal people.

Regardless of the objection raised from certain quarters within the state, the ILP system became a reality after years of struggle by the people and the governments in the state and at the Centre ignored the demand for constitutional safeguard of the indigenous communities in the form of framing legislation to restrict and regulate entry of non-locals.

Undeterred by lukewarm response of the governments, the public sustained the agitation and exerted tremendous pressure on the authorities to at-least take note and examine genuineness of the case.

As such, the four people pulled up from a worksite in Thoubal district for allegedly violating the ILP rules ring out the message that one can't rest assured that the ILP system has been re-introduced in the state but remain ever vigilant, for the simple reason that non-locals wouldn't dare to challenge law of the land without the support of their employers or contractors.

Effective implementation of the ILP system is a must as Manipur remains the hotbed of illegal infiltration.

Arrest of violators of the legislation also testify presence of individuals and work agencies, who/which are least concerned with the threat posed to the indigenes and public apprehension about imminent drastic demographic changes sans effective mechanism to check entry of outsiders into the state.

Even if it is commendable that police, student bodies and rights groups are maintaining constant vigil to ensure compliance with the ILP system by outsiders, one shouldn't undermine seriousness of migrant workers' ability to access even the remotest parts of the state.

Among others, the ILP system necessitates possession of document issued by the government that allows Indian citizens to travel in a protected state for a limited period, but extendable in genuine cases.

Considering the fact that ILP counters are made operational at the inter-state check gates/entry points there seems to be no foreseeable why the Indian citizens from outside the state should hesitate in obtaining the permit, as it would be guaranteeing them hassle-free visit and convenient stay in the state for business purposes or to engage in menial jobs.

As the system also intends to protect the indigenous population from being overwhelmed by non-locals, outsiders should respect the general sentiment and follow the law of the land for there must be a reason that framers of the constitution incorporated the law.