How long will it take to draft the new bill and if the newly drafted bill is not accepted by the central government than what will be the reaction by the government and the people? Will the new bill be the real protector of the indigenous people or will it be made according to the considerations of the central government? These pertinent questions were raised by Sapamcha Jadumani, President of the Indigenous People Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) at a press meet held at its office today.
He further said that people of the state has been demanding the implementation of ILPS under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 from 1990 and 2014, while the same act has already been implemented in states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, adding that under the leadership of FRIENDS the state has been demanding for the implementation of the same from 2005 to 2012 which led to the state assembly passing the bill twice- in 2012 and again in 2013. However owing to the central government expressing reservations regarding the bill, the state government withdrew the same and reframe a new one. This indecision of the state government led to the loss of the life of an innocent student Sapam Robinhood. It shows the weakness of the state government and the state legislative assembly became the butt of joke by the state government.
He further said that JCILPS should clarify on the confusion of the people by using two memos – to implement a bill for the protection of the indigenous people and implementation of ILPS. He further said that protection of indigenous people act will be made by the state government, whereas the ILPS is already in place in Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and need not be re-drafted, adding that If the demand was only for the implementation of ILPS, there would not have been any controversy to start with.
Clarifying on the subject, Jadumani stated that the current agitation is not directed at migrant workers or non-Manipuris and so the state government should support the demand and work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people. He also cautioned the JCILPS regarding the imposition of curfew on non- Manipuris and migrant workers as the situation might lead to an adverse effect with other states meting out the same treatment to people from the state residing or working in other states in the country.
