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Friday, August 14, 2015

Manipur Demands Inner Line Permit System(ILPS)

Demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) System - News Timeline

The first demand for restoration of ILP in Manipur was made in the Parliament in the year 1980 and on several occasions subsequently

In the year 2006,on organisation called FRIENDS took up the demand for ILP in Manipur

In the year 2012,the demands for ILP in Manipur turned violent with repeated general strikes and continued agitation

Agitators in Manipur cite the examples of Tripura and Sikkim to justify their fear of being swamped by outsiders. Tripura is a Bengali state today, and the original Tripuris are in a hopeless minority in their former kingdom. Sikkim, similarly, is a Nepali state and the original populations of Lepchas and Bhutias have been pushed to the margins, needing reservation to remain represented in the government.

The current phase of protests is being led by the Joint Committee on ILPS(JCILPS)an umbrella organisation of 30 Civil Bodies in Manipur
JCILPS has no political affiliation and its volunteers are mostly students and  and student leaders

In July 2015 JCILPS demanded the withdrawal of the Regulation of Visitors,Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly in March 2015 and its replacement by and ILP Bill

The JCIPLS main against the abovestated Bill (now withdrawn by the Govt)was that it had failed to take steps to protest the land in the valley -on the lines of Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act 1972

On July 8, 2015 the police effort to block a rally at Khurai resulted in the tragic death of a 16-year-old school boy, Sapam Robinhood who was hit on the face by a tear gas shell (some reports say rubber bullet) fired from close range.
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Anticipating public outrage, the administration clamped indefinite curfew in the greater Imphal area
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The greater Imphal area, comprising the two districts of Imphal West and Imphal East, is where the agitation has been the strongest. The other two valley districts of Bishnupur and Thoubal are also affected but not as intensely. The five hill districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul share the concern of the agitators, but street demonstrations have been sparse. This is so because the hill districts, which are reserved for tribals, are already protected – though not by the ILPS – from encroachment by non-tribals. Hence, the ILPS is not seen as an urgent necessity there

Note

What is ILPS ?

Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Govt of India to allow inward travel of an  Indian Citizen into a protected area for a limited period.

 It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain permit for entering into the protected state.

The document is an effort by the government to regulate movement to certain areas located near the international border of India.

ILPS is an offshoot of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873,which protected Crown's interest in the tea, oil and elephant trade by prohibiting "British subjects" from entering into these "Protected Areas" (to prevent them from establishing any commercial venture that could rival the Crown's agents)
 The word "British subjects" was replaced by Citizen of India in 1950

The states which require the permit are

Arunachal Pradesh

ILPS is required for entering Arunachal Pradesh through any of the check gates across the interstate border with Assam or Nagaland

An ILP for temporary visitors is valid for 15 days and can be extended, while one for those taking employment in the state and their immediate family members is valid for a year.

Mizoram

ILP is required for entering Mizoram through any of the check gates across the inter-State borders

Typically, a "Temporary ILP" is issued to visitors, which is valid for 15 days, and can be extended another 15 days, with the possibility of extending it to one month in exceptional circumstances. However, with the sponsorship of a local resident or government department, a "Regular ILP" can be procured, which is valid for 6 months and can be renewed twice for another 6 months each

If arriving by air, an ILP can be obtained on arrival at Lengpui Airport in Aizwal

Nagaland

ILP is mandatory for Indian citizens of other states entering Nagaland through any of the check gates across the interstate borders

Dimapur, Nagaland's largest city and porthead, is the only place in the state which does not require an ILP, and Indians arriving by air at Dimapur Airport can arrive and stay in the city without one.

Indian citizens also need a Nagaland-issued ILP if entering Manipur by road via Dimapuror Kohima

An ILP was previously required for certain parts of the Leh District in J& K. This requirement was abolished by a circular issued by district magistrate which took effect from 1 May 2014, although foreign nationals are required to get Protected Area Permit  for this region


The first demand for restoration of the ILP in Manipur was made in Parliament in 1980, and on several ocassions subsequently. In 2006, an organisation called FRIENDS took up the demand in earnest. In 2012, the demands turned violent, with repeated general strikes and continued agitation.
The current protests
The current phase of protests is being spearheaded by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), an umbrella organisation of 30 civil bodies in Manipur, including all valley (that is, Meitei) student organisations
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/inner-line-permitwhy-manipur-is-on-the-boil-again/#sthash.IauAIY0U.dpuf

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