When people from across the state upraises against the central government pack to extend the cease fire between NSCN-IM and the Government of India without territorial limits during June 2001 no power could be used to tame or suppress the peoples’ movement. Realising the momentum of the peoples’ uprising the central government was left with no choice but to withdraw the three words – “without territorial limits” on July 27 of the same year resulting to strengthen the agenda of the NSCN-IM. In 2004 after a lady, alleged by the SF as a cadre of an underground group was mercilessly rape and murdered after picking her up from her own residence at Bamon Kampu in Imphal East, series of protest sparked in the state. The potential of the kind of protest which upraises in the backdrop of the extra judicial killing, with no differences of opinion or ideology among the people of the state spread far and wide drawing supports from even among the humanist group operating in the mainland India. Addition to that the un relentless protest by Sharmila and the subsequent uprising of the people of the state against the so called draconian act has left with no choice to the Union government but to constitute a commission to review act called Jeevan Reddy Commission. After thorough study of the act the committee has recommended to scrap the act. But with all sort of techniques the government perhaps had thrown the committee’s recommendation to the dustbin.
After the government authority experience the kind of uprising those in the paid service now had successfully work out to oust any such people movement. May be this is the reason that the issue of AFSPA or the issue pertaining to the safeguarding of the territorial boundary of the state could not march ahead like the one the people unitedly struggle together.
It is again, the ILPS movement, the technique of the protest surprised the state government, and political gamble to delay the peoples’ aspiration failed, prompting the elected representative to pass the BIlls reluctantly. May be a direct planning, sooner the Bills were passed similar opposition from people from Hill area was successfully triggered. Nine persons died in the protest against the demand of the people in valley area on the following day that the Bills were passed at Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2015 and till today the government has not made any attempt to cremate the dead bodies using an amicable solution. Tension still runs high to some section of the hill people who had vehemently opposed the Bills – may be under the influence of some x-factor.
Since, 2000 there is no dearth of any problem which ignited to major one, keeping halt to the day today normal life on every June, July and August. And since that very period every time a genuine issue created chaos in Valley region the people in the Hills under the initiative if UNC or other sister groups took up another issue which contradict with the demands of the valley base organisation.
If one ponder, it is a clear indication that the unity or bondage of brotherhoods existed among the various communities in the state is in the frying pan.
So, it is clear that the ILPS demand which was also agreed and passed by state Assembly is in no way going to see light. As long as the Hill based tribal bodies opposed the President of India will certainly sent back those Bills to the state legislature to reconsider it.
From the certain facts it is well noted that there is a deliberate attempt to sabotage the genuine cause of the people taking advantage of the misunderstanding between the Hill base people and the valley based people.
Understanding this fact it is time that we the majority need to ponder upon the matter, which we felt is the need of the hour. Yes, it is about ILPS. It will be ridiculous to make two different legislations for Hill and Valley as both Hill and valley comes under one administrative unit. However, it is also true that the existing tribal status granted to the many of the Hill people has somewhat enable the government to have two separate laws when it comes for settlement. At Hills the ST status and the provision under the sixth Scheduled has not allowed any other citizens even those from the valley of Manipur to permanently settle. So it is about the Valley that is worried by the JCILPS.
If it is about the valley which comprises of Bishnupur District, Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal district, then we can change the strategy to introduce a system to check illegal influx of either foreigners or migrant workers from the mainland India in the valley area which is not protected by any legislation so far. While doing so the apprehension among the Hill brothers will be solved. This is opined as laws or legislation are made to develop our society and not to create inconveniences to some sections of people.
