Day: July 12, 2015

IMPHAL, July 12: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has today announced a 14-hour state-wide general strike from 5 am on July 14.

Announcing the general strike in a press release, the committee which is spearheading the collective demand for implementation of ILPS in the state said religious processions, electricity, water supply and media will be exempted from the purview of the strike.

The release maintained that the ongoing collective agitation demanding implementation of ILPS in the state is to safeguard the indigenous people and future generation from the incessant influx of outsiders into the state.

Endorsing the firm stand of the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Sapam Robinhood to not accept the dead body of the student who was killed in police action while taking part in a protest demanding ILPS implementation, it cautioned that the curfew on non-locals may further continue in case the government fails to convene Assembly session to pass a fresh bill within a stipulated time.

It will be better for the government to act swiftly on core issues including ILP pertaining to the state and not wait wrath of the public, it said.

The committee, in the release appealed to the people to continue with different forms of democratic agitation like torch rally and sit-in-protest till a fresh bill in place of MRVT & MW Bill, 2015 to safeguard the indigenous people is passed by the government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/jcilps-announces-14hr-general-strike-on-jul-14/

IMPHAL, July 12: The JAC is not ready to accept Robinhood`™s body even if the government has withdrawn the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015, chairman of the JAC Hemchand Roy told IFP in a telephonic conversation.

He said the JAC formed in connection with Robinhood`™s death is firm in its stand that it will not accept or claim Robinhood`™s body until the government gives a written assurance to implement the ILPS or a similar law which would control the rampant influx of non-locals in the State.

He said, the government has been repeatedly urged by the Joint Committee and various other organisations to enact an acceptable law to check the rampant influx of outsiders which is posing a serious threat to the very existence of the indigenous people, but the same has remained neglected by the government even though many an Assembly session have been held.

The government, he said has cheated the people of the State on the issue on several times and now there is no turning back until a concrete assurance is given, he added.

He also told the reporter that the JAC will not fall prey to such tactics as extending ex-gratia or suitable job to the next kin by the government.

He further urged the government to implement the ILPS in a stipulated time to deliver justice to Sapam Robinhood who sacrificed his life for the people of State.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/jac-wants-concrete-assurance-from-govt-before-accepting-robinhoods-body/

IMPHAL, July 12: The All Manipur Students Guardian Organisation has condoled the death of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy student, Sapam Robinhood, who died in police action against a rally demanding ILPS on July 8.

A two minutes silence was also observed for the departed soul during the press conference held at Place Compound.

Secretary AMSGO, S Sumati while speaking to media persons said that they also share the grief and sorrow of the bereaved family members.

AMSGO also strongly condemned the `atrocious`™ act of the police.

Such unfortunate incidents might have been avoided had the Govt considered the issue as need of the hour and understand the sentiment of the people of the State, she said.

Strongly condemning the police action on protesters demanding ILPS, the AMSGO also demanded the resignation of the CM and Dy CM on moral grounds

She also demanded befitting punishment for the police personnel involved in the killing of Sapam Robinhood at the earliest.

Asserting that imposing curfew and closure of educational institutions will not be a long term solution to the issue, the organisation also urged the government to reopen the educational institutions at the earliest.

S Samiti also said that the movement spearheaded by the JCILPS and the demands is for the welfare of the people,`™ the secretary asserted while adding that they would continue to join the movement until the demands are met.

The All Manipur Students Guardian Organisation strongly urged the government to withdraw the previous bill and bring amicable solution by implementing the ILPs or similar law to protect and safeguard the people of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/amsgo-denounces-robinhoods-death/

IMPHAL, July 12: With public pressure mounting on the demand for withdrawal of the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenant and Migrant Workers`™ Bill, 2015, the State government has decided to withdraw the infamous bill and convene a special Assembly session soon.

Making the announcement before media persons this evening at his cabinet secretariat, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said the government has withdrawn the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenant and Migrant Workers`™ Bill, 2015.

A special sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly will be convened shortly, he said.

The decision to withdraw the bill was taken after an elaborate discussion of the present issue during a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party today, Ibobi informed the media persons.

On the other hand, the JCILPS has informed that it will continue with its agitation until its demands are met even though the government has withdrawn the bill.

Replying to a question as to whether the JCILPS will continue with its proposed bandh and other form of agitations now that the controversial bill has been withdrawn, a co-convenor of the committee told IFP that the demand of the committee is the conduct of a special sitting of the House to pass a new bill which would satisfy the people.

The JCILPS will not cease its agitations until the Assembly session passes a new bill which would safeguard the indigenous population of the State, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister informed the media persons that in an effort to realize the demand of the public and the Joint Committee on ILPS, the government had formed the All Political party Committee on ILPS to bring out a bill, he said.

He said after four-five months of discussions and meetings with legal experts and other intellectuals, the committee had submitted its recommendations to the government.

Based on the recommendations, a bill was tabled during the 10th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly on March 10 for discussion, which was passed by the House on March 16, he continued.

However, the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers`™ Bill, 2015 was not only despised and opposed by the people, but failed to receive assent of the Governor, he said.

Since, the 11th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine-die and the Governor is yet to give his prorogue, the State cabinet meeting tomorrow will resolve to convene a special session of the Assembly.

Ibobi also said that he had apprised the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh of the present people`™s movement on the ILPS issue, during yesterday`™s meeting of Chief Ministers of north eastern States held in Guwahati which was also attended by the Union Home Minister, Minister of State Home and DoNER Minister.

The Chief Minister said he informed the Home Minister of the public demand as to why the Act is not implemented in Manipur although it is still implemented in other States like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Ibobi said he had even discussed with the Union Ministers on the feasibility of implementing a uniform law on the issue which could be implemented in all States of the country.

The late evening press meet was also attended by the members of the Congress Legislature Party.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/visitors-regulation-bill-withdrawn-unimpressed-jcilps-to-continue-agitation/

IMPHAL, July 12: There was no respite as public protest demanding withdrawal of the Manipur Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 and the enactment of a law to safeguard the indigenous people of the State continued for the fourth consecutive day today.

The indefinite curfew imposed since July 9 was, however, relaxed from 5 am to 2 pm today.

Road blocks imposed by burning tyres and logs on the road continued, even as protestors sat on dharnas, took out rallies and burn effigies of the Chief Minister at several places.

Protestors were seen placing rock boulder and drying women`™s clothing on the roads.

Sit in protests were staged at Nongmeibung, Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai, Porompat Soibam Leikai Ayangpali Road, Khanglapung Porompat Road, Soibam Leikai Citizen Club, Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Naoremthong and Keisampat Leimajam Leikai, Nongmada, Serou, Lamlai bazaar, Chana Tillou, Sekta, Leimakhong, Yourbung, Sawombung, Tezpur, Lamsang, etc.

Keishamthong Kabui Khul Mothers and Keishamthong Yaiskul Apunba Lup jointly staged a sit-in protest at Keishamthong Yaiskul Police Lane demanding implementation of ILPS and withdrawal of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill.

Meira paibis of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai hold a sit in protest supporting the ILPS issue as well as condemning police action.

The meira paibis said police fired tear gas shells and live bullets towards some houses in the locality around 9 pm to 10 pm yesterday although there were no protestors.

The unprovoked firing of the police has frightened the residents, they said and added further that Keishampat Leimajam Leikai supports the JCILPS`™ demand and agitation until the ILPS is not implemented in Manipur.

Meira Paibis of Tinsid Road also held a sit in protest and maintained a two-minute silence honouring Sapam Robinhood who was killed during police firing at a protest rally.

The meira paibis also took out a rally but were blocked by the police at Lamlong Bazar.

Protestors were also seen along the whole Singjamei to Chanchipur stretch of the Imphal-Moreh highway blocking the road by placing road boulders.

Police tried to disperse the protestors by firing tear gas shells, catapults and lobbing mock bombs, however, the protestors replied by shooting catapults and pelting stones.

Police finally managed to disperse the protestors at Kakwa after a huge back up team arrived.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister`™s effigies were set on fire at Utlou. Protestors also claimed the police lobbed a mock bomb and arrested a protestor from the protest site.

Meira rallies were taken out at Ningthoukhong, Pangei Bazar, Kakwa Khunjao, Nongmada and Uripok. At Napetpalli, women agitators of a meira rally marched towards the police station.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/no-respite-as-protests-continue-on-fourth-day-of-curfew/

IMPHAL, July 12: The BJP has constituted a consultative committee to consider all the issues in the State, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba claimed.

Chaoba also demanded a judicial inquiry into the death of class XI student Sapam Robinhood during police action to control a student rally on July 8.

Speaking to media persons during a press meet at the party`™s office today, he said the five member committee will conduct fact finding inquiries into the issues of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, Manipur Land Use Policy Bill, restoration of Schedule Tribe status of communities of the State and issues related to insurgency.

Chairman Vision Document BJP Manipur Dr RK Ranjan said the committee will work under his supervision as chairman and have P Saratchandra as convenor; S Tikendra, M Asnikumar as members and RK Shivchandra as co-convenor.

He said the committee will provide recommendation on any issue arising in the State when needed in the interest of the people.

He said the committee will see the mechanism of the ILPS implemented in other States within the framework of the Indian Constitution.

He said the BJP openly supports the ILPS issue as is evident from the memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur.

Chaoba said curfew has been imposed for four days on the present ILPS issue in the State, and the ongoing public agitation has extended to Bishnupur and Thoubal districts from the two Imphal districts.

Several persons including students have been injured and a student killed in the State, he continued.

If there is any more death, it could only worsen the situation, Chaoba continued.

BJP demands ILPS and proper land law to be enacted in the State and bring a solution to all the turmoil, he said.

The government should also call an immediate Assembly session and properly discuss the issue, he said.

He continued although Home minister Gaikhangam has already claimed that action will be taken against any police personnel found guilty of wrongful conduct in the death of Robinhood, the government has failed to even identify the personnel till date.

The government has to clarify on the issue to the people, which is why the BJP is demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident, he further said.

BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary Administration Moirangthem Asnikumar speaking at an exclusive meet with media persons said the BJP Manipur Pradesh has demanded a judicial enquiry on the death of class XI student Sapam Robinhood during police action to control a student rally on July 8.

He said Sapam Robinhood is dead because of the Congress government`™s failure to enact the ILPS in the State.

The government should terminate the responsible police personnel and institute a judicial inquiry into the student killing incident, he demanded.

Robinhood was hit by a tear gas shell shot from a close range by the police.

He continued Robinhood`™s death has strengthened the movement demanding withdrawal of the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenant and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 has been intensified in the State.

Unfortunately the State government has failed to take any positive action against the culprit and instead imposed a public curfew which shows its negligence towards the desires of the public, he continued.

This is total violation of democracy, he said

The present government in the State has only violated the people`™s rights and Constitution of India and it is time for the people to teach it a lesson, he claimed.

Asnikumar said the State is witnessing police-public confrontation everywhere.

Educational institutions are closed down and the government offices continue to remain close due to the curfew which is not a good sign of governance, he continued.

He further demanded the government to bring a permanent solution to the ILPS issue or if it can`™t than it should step down on moral grounds.

Ashinikumar alleged that the Congress-led State Government submitted the MRVTMW Bill, 2015 overlooking the recommendations made by members of the All Political Parties.

He further said that MRVTMW Bill, 2015 put up by the Congress led Government was rejected by the Governor a day before the Assembly began. Timely notification of this rejection to the House and the people could have saved Robinhood`™s life, BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary M Ashinikumar asserted.

But it was very unfortunate that the Leader of House Okram Ibobi Singh and Home minister Gaikhangam seem not serious during the discussion in the Assembly.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/bjp-constitutes-consultative-committee-to-consider-state-issues/