The BJP Manipur unit asserts that, “The State Government,instead of enacting anappropriate legislation to check influx of foreigners who cross into Manipur in the garb of Indian citizens, has been dillydallying the issue of Inner Line Permit System for the past 10 years.”

A 15 member Allpolitical Party Committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as chairman is supposed to meet on 30th August to further discuss the need for ILP. Incidentally, a draft report formed jointly by the Manipur unit of Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had been submitted previously to the Deputy Chief Minister elaborating the possible reasons for the re-introduction of ILP in the state towards which the Committee Chairman had reportedly expressed his appreciation.

The protests have reached a point where outsiders are completely banned from entering the state without proper official documents. The residing non-locals are also kept under a tight leash with ID cards issued to them.Anybody found illegally entering the state premises are ILP unrest in Manipur immediately taken under custody. Through investigation is done before renting out homes.The people of the state have practically adopted all provisions outlined as per the Inner Line Permit System. All that is awaited is the official stamp.

01st August - All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur(ATSUM) decides to issue Identity Cards to all the nonlocals staying and doing business in the Hill areas of Manipur.

03rd August – 31 non-locals from a passenger bus at Sekmai are sent back to their respective states after failing to produce any identity documents.

04th August - Public meetings held at different places resolve that no house owner should let rooms and houses to non-local people without prior approval of the local Meira Paibis and clubs.

05th August - MP Dr Th Meinya makes a strong point in the Lok Sabha in favour of enforcing the ILP system in Manipur.

06th August – The first meeting of the 13 member allparty committee takes place including, Trinamool Congress,CPI, CPM, JD-U, NCP, All India Forward Bloc, RSP, CPI(ML), BSP, MDPF, LJP, JD (S),MPP, AAP, BJP, etc.

07th August - Imphal city under siege for several hours with student protestors belonging to Imphal College, Manipur College and GP Women’s College, demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS), marched towards the Chief Minister’s bungalow from three different directions. A team of Manipur Police personnel had to intervene resulting in scores of student protestors and at least five police personnel sustaining injuries.

10th August - Federation of Regional Indigenous Society (FREINDS), which pioneered the pro-ILPS movement in the State, disbands;continues to endorse Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System(JCILPS).

11th August - Thoubal District Transporters Union (TDTU)suspends service to lend solidarity to the demand.

12th August - Thangso Baite,Member of Parliament representing Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency raises the burning issue of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur during the ‘Zero Hour’ of the Parliament session.Dr.Thokchom Meinya, MP representing the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, also supported the demand.

14th August - 24 migrant workers with forged documents are pulled up by JCILPS Students’ Wing and handed overto the custody of officials of Yurembam Power Sub-Station.

18th August - A public meeting organized jointly by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), Social Development Association,Brighter Club and Chaokhat Khongthang Apunba Lup,Awang Potsangbam Khulen at Awang Potsangbam Khulen Ibudhou Korou Shanglenresolves to prohibit entry of outsiders.

21st August - 50 women volunteers of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System(JCILPS), Women’s Wing storms the heavily guarded Raj Bhavan or the Governor’s House.

23rd August - The Mayai Lambi Passengers Service Owners’ and Drivers’ Welfare Union, Wangoi stops its passenger service along Mayai Lambi to extend support to the demand.

25th August - Join Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) launches door-to-door verification drive to check whether the non-locals residing in the State have proper and valid identification documents.

28th August - All Tokpaching Meira Paibi and Women Development Organisation,Tokpaching organised a sit-inprotest cum meeting on ILPS implementation. The meeting resolved to prohibit entry of nonlocals in Tokpaching area, stop selling of land to non-locals,press the Government to enact an Act to protect indigenous people.

Megha Jhunjhunwala