Imphal: Protest over the demand of implementation of Inner Line Permit System (ILP) in Manipur unabated with over 500 people staging a sit-in protest here on Saturday.
Sources said the fast-unto-death launched by one Kakchingtabam Birahari Sharma in support of the demand entered the second day on Saturday.
Sit-in protests were also held in different parts of the state organised by different organisations.
Birahari launched the stir to ensure that Manipur does not face a Tripura-like situation where the original settlers became minorities.
The ILP if introduced may check the influx of outsiders.
The protest demonstration was organized by Lamjao Tongba Gram Panchayat under the aegis of federation of Regional Indigenous Society of Manipur (FRIENDS) at the Community Hall of Yengkhom Leirak Club.
A sensitization programme on ILP system was also organized as a part of the protest.
Once the ILP system is put into operation in the state a methodical investigation will be conducted by the concerned authority against all the migrants in Manipur, Sapamcha Jadumani, president, FRIENDS said during the ILP sensitization programme.
He said implementation of ILP system will also help the youth of the state to get more opportunities in pursuing academic and professional careers.“We should preserve work culture and that indigenous people of the state should take up jobs such as hair cutting, cobbling, etc,” he suggested.
Dr Khomdon, convenor, FRIENDS who was also speaking at the event accused the politicians in the state of showing hesitation in implementing ILP system in Manipur because a number of migrants have been registered in the state electoral roll.
Criticizing Chief Minister O Ibobi, Dr Khomdon also said the Chief Minister is unwilling to implement ILP system in the state as he is afraid of AICC president Sonia Gandhi who may ask him whether he is not a real citizen of India.
Another sit-in protest demanding implementation of ILP system in Manipur was also staged at Extra Edge School, Sagolband Bijoy Govinda here.
The demonstration participated by hundreds of students was organized under the aegis of Joint Committee on ILP System.
The demand for implementation of ILP system has been intensified in the state in the last one week as Manipur Legislative Assembly began its monsoon session.
According to the 2001 census report, the influx from other parts of the country and neighbouring countries have reached 7 lakh, which is equivalent to the population of the majority Meitei community.
It surpasses population of the indigenous tribal population.
As the Assembly session is on, various NGOs have urged the political parties and the government to discuss the matter and enforce the ILP. (NNN)