Protesting strongly against the passing of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants, and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 (MRVT&MW) Bill, Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) today burnt the effigies of Chief Minister, O. Ibobi, Home Minister Gaikhangam and other MLAs of the state.
Just after few minutes of passing the bill in the ongoing budget session of Manipur Legislative Assembly, a large number of volunteers of JCILPS gathered in front of All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) Head Quarter. The volunteers said that JCILPS and the people of the state cannot accept the bill which is passed in the house as there is no provision to safeguard the indigenous people of the state.
Speaking to Imphal Times, Lourembam Nganbi convener of JCILPS, women wing said that the Chief Minister’s act of passing the bill is similar with the act of annexing Manipur by Government of India in gun point. She said that the passing of the bill in spite of the protests by the people indicates that the leaders of the state do not know the sentiment of the people.
It may be mentioned that the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System had already called a 18-hours-long statewide general strike since the midnight of 15th March demanding to withdraw the controversial bill after the bill was produced in the assembly on March 13.
During the strike, Khawairamband and other nearby market wore a deserted look. It also affected inter-state as well district transport system. Most of the educational and government institutions were shut down.
Supporters blocked roads along the Imphal Thoubal, Tiddim and other main roads.