Of late there has been a strong demand for ‘Introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Manipur. On 12 July 2012, the Manipur State Cabinet resolved to urge the Government of India to extend the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873 to the state of Manipur. This regulation is in vogue in Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh (MiNA).
Following this Cabinet decision, on July 13, 2012 and on June 13, 2013, Manipur State Assembly unanimously passed a private member resolution and another resolution following a short duration discussion for introduction of the Inner Line Permit system respectively.
In this connection, I do seek the indulgence of this august House to the fact that when Manipur kingdom lost her independence to the British in 1891, Manipur did have a permit system for entry into and exit from Manipur –Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.
During this time before Manipur got merged into the Union of India, on February 26, 1948, through a State Council (Cabinet) resolution, the then Government approved the retention of the above permit system in Manipur State.
Unfortunately just after one year of Manipur’s merger with the Union of India, on November 18, 1950, the then Chief Commissioner of Manipur abolished that permit system. It was a tragic incident!
With the alarming influx of illegal outsiders, there has been drastic change in the demographic pattern of the state of Manipur. Now, the People of Manipur want the re-introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state to stop the otherwise unauthorized influx of illegal migrants into the state.
I strongly urge upon the Union Government, the Home Ministry, in particular, to look into the matter and take up immediate necessary action for introducing the Inner Line Permit System in Manipur.
DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA
I.N.C.
