IMPHAL, May 5: The 48 hours State-wide bandh called by the JACs of Kakwa and Lilong over the controversial death of Prasanta is going on although there is no report of any untoward incident so far. Notably, the bandh is being supported by AMUCO and UCM…
IMPHAL, May 5: The 48 hours State-wide bandh called by the JACs of Kakwa and Lilong over the controversial death of Prasanta is going on although there is no report of any untoward incident so far. Notably, the bandh is being supported by AMUCO and UCM. Even as the JACs bandh is still in force
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/05/bandh-cripples-imphal-public-curfew-enforced-jacs-bandh-on-jcilps-curfew-comes-into-force/
IMPHAL, May 5: The 48 hours State-wide bandh called by the JACs of Kakwa and Lilong over the controversial death of Prasanta is going on although there is no report of any untoward incident so far.
The post Bandh cripples Imphal, public curfew enforced JACs bandh on, JCILPS’ curfew comes into force appeared first on The Sangai Express.
IMPHAL, May 5: The 48 hours State-wide bandh called by the JACs of Kakwa and Lilong over the controversial death of Prasanta is going on although there is no report of any untoward incident so far.
The post Bandh cripples Imphal, public curfew enforced JACs bandh on, JCILPS’ curfew comes into force appeared first on The Sangai Express.
Read more / Original news source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/bandh-cripples-imphal-public-curfew-enforced-jacs-bandh-jcilps-curfew-comes-force/
Manipur Medical Council on behalf of all doctors of Manipur appealed to all NGOs, social organisations concerned and public to give free passage to doctors and paramedical staff and ambulance during the proposed two-day public curfew being called by t…
Manipur Medical Council on behalf of all doctors of Manipur appealed to all NGOs, social organisations concerned and public to give free passage to doctors and paramedical staff and ambulance during the proposed two-day public curfew being called by the JCILPS. MMC Registrar, Dr Karam Lokendra in a statement urged all concerned not to cause inconvenience to the doctors and paramedical staff during the curfew period so that they reach their work places on time.
The post JCILPS urged appeared first on The Sangai Express.
Read more / Original news source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/jcilps-urged/
IMPHAL, May 4: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has said the BJP has to play a crucial role in the final stages that will ultimately convert the three ILP Bills into Acts. Replying to a query from the media on the sidelines of a function at Iro…
IMPHAL, May 4: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has said the BJP has to play a crucial role in the final stages that will ultimately convert the three ILP Bills into Acts. Replying to a query from the media on the sidelines of a function at Irom Meijrao in Imphal West today, Gaikhangam said the
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/05/converting-three-bills-into-acts-gaikhangam-throws-ball-at-bjps-court/
By Nehginpao Kipgen It has been 150 days since the killing of 9 civilians, including an eleven-year-old boy in Churachandpur, Manipur, Northeast India. The tribal or hill people, under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC), continue to demand for j…
By Nehginpao Kipgen It has been 150 days since the killing of 9 civilians, including an eleven-year-old boy in Churachandpur, Manipur, Northeast India. The tribal or hill people, under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC), continue to demand for justice while the dead bodies lie in the district hospital morgue. The deaths were a
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/02/politics-of-3-bills-and-9-unburied-bodies-in-manipur/
IMPHAL, September 3: Lamjing Meira Sapam Robinhood was finally laid to rest in a fitting traditional burial with prayers and salutation from thousands of people today. The atmosphere was such
People surround the truck carrying Sapam Robinhood’s body on Thursday.
IMPHAL, September 3: Lamjing Meira Sapam Robinhood was finally laid to rest in a fitting traditional burial with prayers and salutation from thousands of people today.
The atmosphere was such that 117 people fainted during his funeral procession and were admitted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences.
Thousands of people from all walks of life participated in his last rites from early morning till late evening until his body was buried at the foothills of Awa Ching of Baruni Ching under Imphal East district around 6:30 pm.
Since early morning, people started flooding all routes towards the JNIMS morgue where the 17-year old`™s lifeless body was kept for nearly two months – 58 days to be precise- since July 8 when he was killed in police action against a student rally demanding implementation of the ILPS in the State.
Robinhood`™s body was carried in a Keiren Keichao adorned with traditional Heikat Leikat.
The JAC Robinhood along with the JCILPS and other supporting student bodies led the funeral procession from the JNIMS morgue to his residence in Lairikyengbam Leikai and to his birthplace, Keishamthong after a stopover at his school, Ananda Higher Secondary Academy.
The procession carrying his body also passed through Khurai Lamlong, Soibam Leikai, Nongmeibung, Yaiskul and after reaching Keishamthong turned backed.
At his Lairikyengbam Leikai, his family and relatives bade their final goodbyes and adorned his lifeless body with prayers and floral tributes. At his school there was an emotional condolence where the students and teachers paid their last respects.
People thronged the routes paying respect to the martyr, who had sacrificed his life for the indigenous people of the State.
Thousands chanted slogans of patriotism and acknowledgement of his sacrifice along the routes. The streets were adorned with floral tributes as people showered blessings and flowers to the body of Sapam Robinhood along the route.
Several people were emotional about his sacrifice and partake in the long distance march up to the hillock where he was buried.
The burial was preceded by solemn indigenous rituals including a Thang-ta salute and an adorning song composed for the martyr.
The tribute song was written by Narendra Ningomba with music and composition by Hamom Naba and Rahul.
Despite the scorching sun in the morning and the rain in the afternoon, the spirit of oneness and solidarity was solid and explicitly shown by the multitudes of men and women participating in the procession.
Men and women, young and old joined the funeral march and attended his burial ceremony without flinching despite the distance and the slippery uphill climb.
All those who had been on hunger strike till today also attended the funeral and decided to walk the length of the hill. And during the mournful funeral after sunset at the Awa Ching, several people fainted and since the back-up ambulance services was not sufficient, other volunteers assisted to transport the patients till the hospital.
During the funeral, there was a brief drizzle as the fog descended from the mountains to envelop the site.
And as darkness sets in, the body was buried with a mournful farewell from the thousands of well-wishers.
The Khetrigao Meitei Pangal inclusive of men and women, young and old conducted a cleanliness drive at the burial spot and the adjoining road during the last three days.
They also prepared the graveyard for Sapam Robinhood`™s burial today.
It may be mentioned here that late Sapam Robinhood died in police action on July 8 while he was participating in a rally demanding legal protection of the native people of Manipur.
The Government of Manipur ultimately passed three bills in the assembly on the 31 of August after the agitation aggravated following Sapam Robinhood`™s death.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/robinhood-finally-laid-to-rest-record-turnout-of-supporters-during-funeral/
In response to the years long movement demanding implementation of an Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, the Government of Manipur have recently passed three bills; the Protection of
In response to the years long movement demanding implementation of an Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, the Government of Manipur have recently passed three bills; the Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Amendment Bill 2015, and the Manipur Shops and Establishments Bill 2015. These bills have been achieved after prolonged struggle that had affected most of the people (in Manipur) in some way or the other such as heavy repressions, casualties, arrests, riots, destruction of properties and obstructions to the normal functioning of democratic order.
Read about “The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015″
Some sections of the population, however, have expressed dissatisfaction to the bills. The hard core pro ILP Sections felt that their demand have not been fully fulfilled by these bills. They considered that the Government still enjoys the power to sell land to the outsiders. Economically powerful outsiders can still buy land, if they are being favoured by those who are with the administration. There is no clear cut provision on the protection of the local labour and professionals, as outsider employees are exempted from the permit system. Whereas registered local entrepreneurs who fail to get their employees registered had to be penalised, there is no penalty against outsiders who would violate the provisions of the bills, such as entry without a valid pass or who fail to get their name registered in the concerned Directorate. There is also no provision on the detection of the landowner outsiders and corresponding actions to be taken up against them.
Read about “Manipur Land Revenue & Land reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015
The bills have been openly opposed by the ‘tribal’ organisations, who claimed control of the Manipur Hill districts, particularly those of the Kuki Chin Mizo communities. They started feeling insecure as many of them, either those who probably immigrated to Manipur after 1951 or whose lineages may not be found in the list criteria mentioned in the Bills, could be treated as outsiders and lose their landed rights and properties tied with land. The other tribes have also expressed the similar concern. While trying to project the bills as pro-Meetei, they, however, fail to see that no one who come after 1951 is exempted from the permit system, including some sections of the Meeteis and others who came to Manipur after 1951. What they could have argued is that that the cut of base year 1951, to detect outsiders, would be redundant in regards to those settled immigrants after 1951 who have close ethnic ties with the one or the other ‘indigenous’ community. However, this insecurity interplayed with the propaganda that the Manipur Land Revenue and Reform Act 1960 have been extended to the hill districts, which is untrue as there is no amendment in the territorial extent of the said Act.
Read about “The Manipur Shops & Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015″
The resentment against the bills, which have affected Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh towns and other hill areas would not have been escalated into the present scale of unrest, had the Government of Manipur consulted the Hill Areas Committee or other responsible ‘tribal’ organisations to resolve any misunderstanding before passing the bills. The Government of Manipur had been lacking transparent in this regards; to the extent that these bills had not been made officially public till date. On the other-hand there has been inherent sectarianism of the civil societies that are either in favour of or against these bills. Neither the organisation that had led the ILP movement nor the tribal organisations who protest the bills had approached one another for a dialogue and understanding in this regards. From the beginning the ILP movement was mostly confined in the Valley Districts, while those in the Hills have isolated themselves from the movement thinking that they have been protected from outsiders under the existing laws. There were avoidable conflicts, which would have not occurred if these organisation had pursued for democratic solution to any of the complex issues. Now, when tensions have been spread due to misunderstanding and absence of dialogue, there seems to be roles of certain vested political groups to add fuel to magnify the unrest situation, to justify imposition of President Rule to topple down the incumbent congress ministry.
Our concern, however, is that all these unrest, rioting and repression has led to heavy toll and casualty on the civilians, destruction of properties and communal mistrusts. The common peoples are the losers in this conflict; as we know, the elite will negotiate at the negotiation table and share any form of loot from the public fund. We question: what are these bills that have caused dissatisfactions and misunderstandings to different sections of the population? Is there no room to either clarify the misunderstanding or add some clauses in the bills to resolve the immediate tension? Can the ‘indigenous insiders’ protect themselves from outsiders without promoting mutual trust, respect and co-operation amongst themselves? What the people need to realise is that they are trapped by the same fate of political betrayal and marginalisation. Unless they fight collectively on the basis of mutual respect and consensus, they are the losers. We, therefore, call upon the concerned civil society organisations, political parties, and other stake holders to have a dialogue on the Manipur People Protection Bill 2015 and the amendments in other two bills. We appeal them to help in defusing tension, demilitarisation and address the grievances of the affected families across communities.
Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)
2nd September 2015
Three Bills Passed by Government of Manipur:
1. The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015
2. The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (7th Amendment ) Bill, 2015
3. The Manipur Shops and Establishments (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/cpdm-on-present-conflict-on-protection-bill/
IMPHAL, August 25: Altogether 13 students amongst the 14, who were picked up from their hunger strike venues at Keishampat and Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy and kept under observation
The students who escaped from the Observation Home continuing their hunger strike.
IMPHAL, August 25: Altogether 13 students amongst the 14, who were picked up from their hunger strike venues at Keishampat and Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy and kept under observation at the Juvenile Observation Home, Takyelpat escaped this morning around 9.
The 13 escaped students include nine from Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ Wing and four from Democratic Students`™ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM).
They are identified as Kh Jonshon Singh of Ramlal Paul Higher Secondary School; Dayananda Lairikyengbam of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy; Oinam Suresh of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy; Malemnganba Thounaojam of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy; Toijam Robinson of CC Higher Secondary; Arambam Bopendro of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy; Yumnam Luwanganba of Ram Lal Paul Higher Secondary; Leishangkhong Fajal of Lamlong Higher Secondary School and Thoudam Mukhesh of Lamlong Higher Secondary School.
Immediately after they ran out of the Home, the students joined their colleagues in launching fast unto death agitations at the places from where they were pulled up earlier.
Speaking to media persons at Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy following their escape, Kh Johson said that they jointly decided to escape from the Home in condemnation of the apparent government`™s failure to pass the proposed bill to safeguard the indigenous people in the Assembly on or before August 25.
The government had assured the people to pass an acceptable bill in the Assembly on or before August 25 that also after witnessing mass agitation from many sections.
This time also the government has utterly failed to keep its promises like in the past, he fumed.
He recounted that they were admitted to the RIMS Eye Ward soon after they were pulled up by police from the places where they launched fast unto death stirs.
But after few minutes, we were rushed to Juvenile Observation Home, Takyelpat not giving time to take rest in the hospital, he claimed.
Contending that they were treated like criminals in the observation home, Johnson pointed out that there is no nurse or doctor in the Home to give treatment to those who are staying in it.
He further narrated that the 13 students including him amongst the 14 managed to escape from the observation home through its front gate after much struggle as there are security personnel deployed in the Home.
Unfortunately, the remaining colleague failed to escape from the Home, he said.
He pledged that they will continue with the hunger strike till the introduction of ILPS or similar law in the State which is the collective wishes of the people.
Amongst the escapers, health condition of Yumnam Luwanganba is said to be critical. His mother reportedly collapsed on seeing his condition.
Meanwhile, yet another student has launched fast unto death agitation at Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai starting this early morning around 3.50 replacing her colleague namely Beishmayum Puja Devi 18, daughter of B Jadhumani Sharma of Singjamei Wangma Torban Kshetri Leikai, who was arrested by police on August 24 for doing the same.
The new student hunger striker is identified as Yumlembam Enaobi 17, daughter of Y Ranbir of Singjamei Wangma Torban Kshetri Leikai.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/student-hunger-strikers-escape-from-observation-home-pledge-to-continue-with-agitation/
By Momon Thoudam I wonder if Manipuris are harassing Non-Manipuris OR Non-Manipuris are harassing/murdering the National character of Manipuri people. A non-manipuri blog on facebook by name “Helpless non meiteis(in
By Momon Thoudam
I wonder if Manipuris are harassing Non-Manipuris OR Non-Manipuris are harassing/murdering the National character of Manipuri people. A non-manipuri blog on facebook by name “Helpless non meiteis(in manipur) previously “Helpless Non-Manipuris” have been circulating various communal, anti Manipuri/Anti Meitei propagandas day and night. The facebook pages generate hatred and suspicion among Manipuris and Non-Manipuris and Meitei-tribals. It’s one of the most violent form of communal propaganda against Manipur at large. Jcilps on another hand normally appealed people of Manipur to stage democratic form of agitation for implementation of ILPS in Manipur. Public curfew/public emergency was also declared as per the inactivity and insensitivity shown by the Govt towards the issue of demographic imbalance in the state. The people of state witnessed as how some misled Kukis along with Non-manipuris targeted and looted pro ILPS Meitei groups in Moreh recently. By indulging into economic blockade against Manipur, Non-manipuris have yet again proved beyond any reasonable doubt that they are anti-Manipur and anti-Manipuris. Serious consequences are inevitable due to non- Manipuris communal politics in Manipur and NE at large. Non Manipuris would be solely responsible for any untoward communal clashes in the region. People of Manipur specially Meiteis who are spearheading ILP movement have shown maximum level of self restraint till date. NEPO..the name itself is great insult to the indigenous people of NE??!!! It’s high time NE should unite against immigrants which are becoming rowdy in NE itself, abusing Northeasterners in NE. People of NE should teach these lecherous criminal Non- Manipuris a big lesson, need to remind that its NE and no Delhi where in they would rape, molest kill our people at will…and now Blockade in NE!!!Pro NRC groups of Assam and pro ILPS groups of Manipur should join hand in hand and liberate NE from Non Northeasterners in the greater interests of regional peace and tranquility…Long live Manipur! Long live NE! Down with Mayang hegemony! Save NE from Mayangs!!No to greater Bangladesh! Save indigenous peoples of NE!!
This article was sent on 23 Aug 2015 by Momon Thoudam. He can be contacted at thoudammomo(at)gmail(dot)com
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/communal-propaganda-by-fake-groups/
IMPHAL, August 23: The 10-points resolution taken during the 2nd People`™s Convention, in connection with the popular demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit System or a similar law in
Public meeting on ILPS movement held at Lamlong Keithel
IMPHAL, August 23: The 10-points resolution taken during the 2nd People`™s Convention, in connection with the popular demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit System or a similar law in Manipur, held on August 20 at MDU Hall was submitted to the government on the same day after the convention.
This was stated by JCILPS convenor-in-charge Khomdram Ratan speaking to media persons today on the sidelines of a `public meeting on ILPS movement`™ held at Lamlong Keithel organized by Co-ordinating Body on ILPS, Khurai.
He further said that the government still has not given a clear official reply after they (JCILPS) have submitted the 10-points resolution taken during the 2nd People`™s Convention. However some media reports of today have claimed that the government is ready to accept all the demands of JCILPS, he said.
`Here at this point I would like to say that it is not right for us to take the decision hurriedly. We are closely monitoring the activities and stand of the State Government. We are still not very clear about the government`™s stand on the issue,` he continued.
He said this does not mean that JCILPS will not hold talks with the state government at all because this is a very important issue as it involves safeguarding the indigenous people of Manipur.
`As we cannot afford to make mistake here, we don`™t want to rush things at this point. But when the right times comes we will surely hold talks with the government,` he maintained.
`Many are still in Jail, many are still holding hunger strike and the dead body of `Athouba`™ Robinhood is still lying in the morgue. JCILPS`™s only wish is to fulfil the demand of the people,` he continued.
While clarifying on the objections raised by some people while holding protest rally demanding ILPS, he said this issue is for all the indigenous people of Manipur and is not confined to one particular community.
`We need to understand this first clearly. The influx of outsiders in Manipur will affect the whole indigenous people of Manipur and not only one particular community. The hill and the valley need to be united while pushing the demands,` he maintained.
He called on to the people of Manipur to continue with the democratic form of protest as the demands have not been met yet.
`We have not got our demands yet so we still need to continue with the democratic form of protest. Yes! we are nearing our destination however we have not got our demands yet,` he said.
`Talks are not the solution the government needs to show some action by passing the bill in the Assembly. This ILP demand is not a new demand. The government needs to be honest here,` he said.
`We are very clear of what we want and have already submitted the five points demand long ago. It is the government who is acting like it is still confused or unclear regarding the issue. This might be a delaying tactics of the government,` he charged.
He also questioned why it took so long to suspend the police personnel who killed Robinhood while mentioning that the deadline set by JCILPS was Aug 15 which the government have missed it.
Meanwhile, the public meeting held today reaffirmed its stand to support JCILPS in its further course of action in demanding ILPS or a similar law in Manipur, he said.
The meeting further resolve to prevent untoward incidents or event which can show the ILPS movement in the bad light while protesting in the Khurai areas and also while staging protest demonstrations press/media, medical and related, and rituals activates will be exempted.
The meeting also resolved to create a work culture among the local population and to take over the works which are done by migrant workers.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/jcilps-says-it-has-submitted-resolutions-of-the-peoples-convention-to-govt-but-is-yet-to-receive-a-response/
IMPHAL, August 12: The much awaited second round of talks between the State government and the JCILPS failed to arrive at a positive conclusion today. The talk held inside the
JCILPS convenor, Khomdram Ratan speaking to media persons at the gate of the CM’s bungalow after coming out from the meeting.
IMPHAL, August 12: The much awaited second round of talks between the State government and the JCILPS failed to arrive at a positive conclusion today.
The talk held inside the Chief Minister`™s bungalow was a crucial determiner of whether the following days will witness more agitations or bring an end to the present turmoil. However, the latter option seem far-fetched for the time being considering the outcome of the meeting between the JCILPS spearheading the ongoing demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State and the government.
JCILPS convenor, Khomdram Ratan told media persons that the JCILPS have been demanding the government to include its 5-points in the ILP bill which is present under process however, at present although there are deliberations to imbibe the points in the bill, there has been no positive response from the government endorsing the demand.
The JCILPS convenor was talking to media persons at the gate of the CM`™s bungalow after the second meeting which was attended by a 20-member team of the JCILPS including technical advisors and the Chief Minister and his cabinet ministers.
Even though the marathon sitting commenced from 4 pm today and continued till late into the evening lasting about five hours, both parties failed to reach to a positive agreement.
Ratan said, the JCILPS had once again urged the government to include its five-point demand in the proposed bill.
We have done our bit, now the rest is upto the government, he said.
`We have urged our part for amendments in the proposed draft Bill, now it is left to the government to decide,` he said.
He mentioned that if the government fails to include the five points, the agitations in the State will continue.
He also clarified the misunderstanding between the JAC of Sapam Robinhood and JCILPS regarding claiming of Robinhood`™s body .
As the talks also failed to arrive to a positive conclusion, he announced that Robinhood`™s body will not be accepted.
He mentioned that the JAC members were informed about the meeting and further requested to join in, but there was no positive response from their side.
When asked why the meeting took so long he replied that their five-points has 99 pages and it takes time to explain each and every point to the government representatives.
He said that JCILPS will stick with the resolution taken during the people`™s convention setting August 15 as deadline for the government to table a Bill in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
If the government fails to do so JCILPS will discuss with the public and launch more intense agitations.
He said that copies of the dummy bill filed by the government appointed committee were handed to them during the meeting so they were not able to study it thoroughly due to time constrains.
Ratan added that there are no more further round of talks scheduled with the State government in future, and it is left entirely to the government whether to include the 5 points raised by the JCILPS and bring a positive ending to the ILP issue.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/second-round-of-talks-inconclusive-now-ball-in-govts-court-jcilps/
By Dinesh Sharma Before you even start reading the article, let me be clear that I am a 4th generation Gorkha settled in Manipur. And I will accept criticism if
By Dinesh Sharma
Before you even start reading the article, let me be clear that I am a 4th generation Gorkha settled in Manipur. And I will accept criticism if you at any point feel that the article is a little biased. I am a confused person right now. Suddenly, after having lived for 31 good years of my life, my belongingness and loyalty towards my motherland is being questioned.
I do not write this article with pride. In fact, it is shameful that despite having been born and brought up as a Manipuri Gorkha, today I am having to publish an appeal to clarify that I too belong to Manipur. From time immemorial, it is always the majority who create history. We have never read or heard about the story of the minority. Today, I will narrate the story of the minority, the voiceless and the helpless.
Recently, there was a video circulating on social media it showed a lady who was being delivered a mob justice. She was being slapped, hit by a shaft, and ever had her hair chopped in public. Whatever be the reason, that was not the right way to vent dissatisfaction in the wake of such political crisis. Tomorrow, some other crowd might just want to do the same thing on another individual. Who is going to take the blame then? As a civilized society with such rich history and culture, a more matured approach would have given a dignity to the agitation.
We are accused of encroaching the land. We are accused of being a threat to the social fabric of the state. We are asked to pack up and leave the state. How is it even possible? We are not here staying in a rent house that we pack our belongings and move to another house. My family has not grabbed any land or encroached upon anyone else’s territory. We have papers for our land as per the law of the land. We also grew up listening to our grandmother narrating us stories of the Japanese drones flying above the roof. We have heard stories of our grandfathers fighting to protect the land alongside the British and the maharaja’s army. Are our stories any different from the stories of a Meitei, Naga, or a Kuki kid?
They say that our contribution to the land is zero. Turn any pages of history of this land and you will find a Gorkha, Major Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetry amongst the earliest martyrs of the land. He was hanged to death alongside Bir Tikendrajit and General Thangal by the British on 13th of August 1891.
They must have also conveniently forgotten that we are the most peaceful community in the state. We live happily with all other communities, be it the Meiteis, Nagas or the Kukis. I have studied Meiteilon throughout my childhood, I can speak a bit of Kuki, and I have lived with a Naga friend for about 7 years of my life. Like you all, we have recited Ougri Sheireng, listened to Khamba-thoibi with awe, enjoyed the colours of Yaoshang, celebrated Lai Haraoba with equal enthusiasm, and cannot live without Ironba, Nga-Thongba and Ooti as our daily staple. What makes me less Manipuri than anybody else from my state? Perhaps we are the only community in Manipur which never had any law and order problem with the state.
Despite all this, we are time and again asked to cite history of our existence in the state. Below are some historical records of the settlement of Gorkhas in Manipur to put across the point that we are not just land grabbers and that we have taken equal part in the nation building process in Manipur:
The Gorkha community is settled for nearly 2 centuries and have lived in an area of 140 sq. miles till 1915. Besides the army settlers, we could rear more than 10,000 cattle and buffaloes. An entire stretch of road named in Jiribam was named as Man Bahadur Limbu’s Road. Today, after almost 2 centuries, our population is not even 1 lakh. How could we possibly disturb the social fabric of the Manipuri society or even snatch away opportunities from the locals?
Today, we are as much a victim of historical circumstances, miscalculation and manipulation as all of you. We too would want to be part of the decision making process which will segregate the outsiders from the insiders. Sadly, despite being a part of the greater Manipuri society for nearly 200 years, we have been pre-leveled as “outsiders”. Look into your hearts and think for once, how would you react, if you and your community were labeled as such?
Most of the Gorkha youths from Manipur today are working in the defense or in the metro cities. This also brings in revenue to the state. How can we possibly exploiting the wealth of Manipur? I would love to know if you have seen anything unjust being committed by any Gorkha in Manipur.
Today, we live outside the state in metro cities. Ask one of your own ‘inside Manipuris’ about how does it feel to be humiliated. If you have no idea of how humiliated your brothers and sisters feel when faced with racism outside the home state, maybe you should go and speak to them. I have also felt the outrage over “racism “against our Manipuri people in Delhi and other cities, but I cannot turn a blind eye and deaf ear to numerous instances of racism here in my motherland itself.
In this city, we only have people; there is no Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Gorkha, Bengali, Bihari or Marwari. If someone asks me, I proudly call myself Manipuri Gorkha. Here no one accuses anyone of stealing opportunities or ancestral land. No Bihari cries of innocent people being killed, no Meitei accuses a Bihari of depleting his economy. We share rooms to save money, lend and borrow money when we are broke, we share pizzas and drinks together, we contribute for the electricity bills, we wait for each other to walk back home after office, We cook together, we laugh at each other’s jokes, we fall in love, we get married. We live happily here, but we never talk of our problems back home. Why?? Because it divides us.
We are happy out here, but why this indifference back in our own homeland?? I leave this for you to ponder upon.
The article was sent to KanglaOnline by the author. He can be reached at dineshcold(at)gmail(dot)com.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/introspection-a-blog-on-ilp/
Jiribam, 6 Aug, 2015 : A press release from the Kangleipak Students Association(KSA), Jiribam Unit, has appealed to the Manipur Power Development Corporation to extend the last date of form
Jiribam, 6 Aug, 2015 : A press release from the Kangleipak Students Association(KSA), Jiribam Unit, has appealed to the Manipur Power Development Corporation to extend the last date of form submission for some of its job post. The last date of the form submission has already been extended before to 7th Aug , due to unprecedented bandhs and strikes for ILPS demand .
”Frequent bandh and other form of agitations that has been plaqued in demand of ILP has created lot of problem to the people of manipur and jiribam particular. The guardians of the applicants to some posts of the Manipur Power Development Corporation earnestly request to extends form submission to some days. It will be a good will as the situation is continuing, the concern authority may kindly be taken this as most urgent.” added the release.
The press release is signed by L. Bonson Singh , President , KSA, Jiribam Unit.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/ilps-bandh-ksa-jiribam-unit-appeals-extension-of-form-submission-for-jobs-at-mpdc/
Press release, 5 Aug, 2015 “ The media fraternity in Manipur regret to announce non publication of daily news and electronic media on 6th Aug 2015 due to the intense
Press release, 5 Aug, 2015
“ The media fraternity in Manipur regret to announce non publication of daily news and electronic media on 6th Aug 2015 due to the intense nature of bandh called by Student Wing of JCILPS. The decision was arrived after a meeting of Editors and members of AMWJU. The media fraternity made a fervent appeal and understand the free movements of all media concerned to report the events. The crucial decision was arrived after considering the fact that many workers of press including Editors, Sub Editors, reporters, DTP, Machinemen, platemakers, distributors, circulation personnel and other related workers could not reach the press . Apart from this, reporters and cameramen could not gather news owing to same reason. We take this opportunity once again to appeal to all public to allow free passage to media related personnel. A meeting will be held tomorrow at the Press Club to asses the situation of the following day of the bandh. We appeal all our readers and viewers to bear with us.”
Issued jointly in public interest by Editors Guild Manipur And All Manipur Working Journalists Union Imphal -5th August 2015
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/manipur-media-fraternity-protest-no-news-publication-on-6th-august-2015/
Imphal, 5 Aug 2015 : Protesting the attack on media persons by JCILPS bandh supporters on Wednesday at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Manipur
Imphal, 5 Aug 2015 : Protesting the attack on media persons by JCILPS bandh supporters on Wednesday at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Manipur
Media persons protest against attack during JCILPS bandh, at Manipur Press Club. Photo : Deepak Shijagurumayum
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/media-persons-protest-against-attack-during-jcilps-bandh/
By Dr Khwairakpam Gajananda DEFINITION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: “Indigenous peoples are those which having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct
By Dr Khwairakpam Gajananda
DEFINITION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES:
“Indigenous peoples are those which having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop, and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems”, according to Martinez-Cobo, 1984, the United Nations Special Rapporteur to the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Indigenous Communities, Peoples and Nations.
INTRODUCTION:
The indigenous peoples of the world is very diverse and is about 400 million with close to 5000 distinct tribes, which symbolize and nurture 80% of the world’s cultural and biological diversity—occupying 20% of the world’s land surface. Indigenous Peoples play key roles in preserving land, environment, ecology, protecting language, promoting and preserving culture and tradition. Many of the World’s Indigenous Peoples have already adapted to the paradigm shift and are adjusting to the technological and political changes. By respecting the nature, Indigenous Peoples are champions to the sustainable conservations of the environment.
Despite such extensive diversity in indigenous communities throughout the world, all Indigenous Peoples have one thing in common—they all share a history of injustice. Indigenous Peoples have been killed, tortured and enslaved in all the livable continents. Many of them are the victims of genocide and are denied the rights to participate in governing processes of the political systems. The fundamental rights of self-determination, dignity and identity of indigenous peoples were stolen during the conquest and colonization.
The rights of Indigenous Peoples overlap with many other human rights; however, the important parts are not framed specifically but are part of more general treaties, like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
UNITED NATIONS (UN) DECLARATIONS AND CONVENTIONS:
(1) The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (2001)
The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (2001) for the first time recommended the UN to use the phrase “Indigenous Peoples” in all the documents rather than using the phrase “Indigenous People”. This carries a clear message to the World’s populations that the ‘Indigenous Peoples’ is not singular but plural!
(2) The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, March 2008
This declaration is the most comprehensive statement of the rights of Indigenous Peoples to date, establishing collective rights to a greater extent than any other document in international human rights law. It establishes the rights of Indigenous Peoples to the protection of their cultural property and identity as well as the rights to education, employment, health, religion, language and more. It also protects the right of Indigenous Peoples to own land collectively. Although, States are not legally bound by the Declaration, it exerted a considerable amount of moral force by the General Assembly. Consisting of 46 Articles, the draft Declaration is divided into nine parts. Some of the Articles of the Declarations are reproduced as follows:
Article 1:- Indigenous peoples have the right to the full enjoyment, as a collective or as individuals, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms as recognized in the Charter of the UN, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law.
Article 5:- Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.
Article 6:- Every indigenous individual has the right to a nationality.
Article 8:- 1. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture. 2. States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of, and redress for: (a) Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving them of their integrity as distinct peoples, or of their cultural values or ethnic identities; (b) Any action which has the aim or effect of dispossessing them of their lands, territories or resources; (c) Any form of forced population transfer, which has the aim or effect of violating or undermining any of their rights; (d) Any form of forced assimilation or integration; (e) Any form of propaganda designed to promote or incite racial or ethnic discrimination directed against them.
Article 13:- 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons. 2. States shall take effective measures to ensure that this right is protected and also to ensure that indigenous peoples can understand and be understood in political, legal and administrative proceedings, where necessary through the provision of interpretation or by other appropriate means.
Article 27:- States shall establish and implement, in conjunction with indigenous peoples concerned, a fair, independent, impartial, open and transparent process, giving due recognition to indigenous peoples’ laws, traditions, customs and land tenure systems, to recognize and adjudicate the rights of indigenous peoples pertaining to their lands, territories and resources, including those which were traditionally owned or otherwise occupied or used. Indigenous peoples shall have the right to participate in this process.
Article 30:- 1. Military activities shall not take place in the lands or territories of indigenous peoples, unless justified by a relevant public interest or otherwise freely agreed with or requested by the indigenous peoples concerned. 2. States shall undertake effective consultations with the indigenous peoples concerned, through appropriate procedures and in particular through their representative institutions, prior to using their lands or territories for military activities.
Article 31:- 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, as well as the manifestations of their sciences, technologies and cultures, including human and genetic resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of the properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional games and visual and performing arts. They also have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their intellectual property over such cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions. 2. In conjunction with indigenous peoples, States shall take effective measures to recognize and protect the exercise of these rights.
Article 36:- 1. Indigenous peoples, in particular those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as other peoples across borders. 2. States, in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples, shall take effective measures to facilitate the exercise and ensure the implementation of this right.
(3) The Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1992
The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1992 recognized the special relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their lands. Indigenous Peoples have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their traditional knowledge and practice. In order to fully make use of that knowledge, some Indigenous Peoples need greater control over their land, self-management of their resources and participation in development decisions affecting them (Agenda 21, Chapter 26.4). The Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), thus called upon its signatories to “respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holders of such knowledge, innovations and practices and encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge, innovations and practices”.
The objective of the biological diversity conservation of the UN-Earth Submit and consequently the aim of many Nations of the World is the universal phrase “Unity in Diversity”. Diversity indeed, included both hybridize and pure breed species. In this scenario, conservation of pure breed sustainably—is more important and better than the hybridize one, in the long run. To avoid extinction, hybridization is the best strategy—but at the cost of losing the precious pure breed ‘genetic pool’. The problem is, in a population of a species, if a sub-species extinct, slowly the other surviving sub-species genes started getting into mutation phase, which has the high-probability of getting extinct due to various causes e.g. cancers, diseases, reproductive disorders, competitions, natural selections etc. Hence, it is pertinent to conserve Indigenous Peoples (pure breed) for a long chain of healthy genetic diversity and for our future generations. Here, we can take some examples of the World’s Indigenous Peoples who are currently preserved for their unique identities, cultures and traditions; they are viz. Inuit: Greenland, Northern Canada, Alaska; Sami: Northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia; Nuba: Sudan; Pygmy peoples: Central and Western Africa; Khoikhoi: South Africa; Tibetan people: Tibet; Karen: Burma and Thailand; Wa people: Burma and China’s Yunnan Province; Penan: Sarawak, Malaysia; Andalusians: Spain; Manx people: Great Britain; the Red Indian: USA; Occitans: France; Yolngu people: Arnhem Land, Australia; Fijian: Fiji; Itza: Mayan people of Guatemala; Mayo: Sonora, Mexico; Awá-Guajá: eastern Amazonian rainforest, Brazil; Yora: Amazon rainforest, southeast Peru etc.
(4) Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992)
This Declaration deals with all minorities, which includes many of the world’s Indigenous Peoples. It only concerns individual rights, although collective rights might be derived from those individual rights. The Declaration deals both with States’ obligations towards minorities as well as the rights of minority people. Topics that are dealt with include: the national or ethnic, cultural, religious or linguistic identity of minorities (Article 1); the free expression and development of culture; association of minorities amongst themselves; participation in decisions regarding the minority (Article 2); the exercise of minority rights, both individual and in groups (Article 3); and education of and about minorities (Article 4).
The UN bodies recognize that indigenous culture is directly linked to land, water and other resources and language. In this scenario, ‘Media’ thus plays the vital role as a non-violent weapon to spread awareness/information within and without indigenous communities.
INDIAN CONSTITUTIONS
In India, there are about 461 ethnic groups, which are recognized as Scheduled Tribes (ST). They are considered to be India’s Indigenous Peoples. The constitutions of India gives equal respect to all communities, sects, lingual and ethnic groups etc. in the country. The constitution also guarantees to all citizens the freedom of speech (Article 19), freedom of religion (Article 25), equality (Articles 14 to 17), liberty (Article 21), etc. India has several laws and constitutional provisions, such as the Fifth (5th) Schedule for mainland India and the Sixth (6th) Schedule for certain areas of North-east India, which recognize Indigenous Peoples’ rights to land and self-governance. The laws aimed at protecting indigenous peoples have, however, numerous shortcomings and their implementation is far from satisfactory.
There are numerous indigenous people residing in the hills of Northern, North-Eastern and Southern India, Andaman & Nicobar Island, Himalayan regions of India etc. Some of the examples are: Bodo-Kachari: Assam (Bodoland), Arunachal Pradesh; Karbi: Assam; Khasi-Jaintia: Meghalaya, Assam; Mishmi people: Arunachal Pradesh; Nocte: Arunachal Pradesh; Mizo people: Mizoram; Naga: Nagaland; Tripuri (Borok): Tripura; Ladakhi: Jammu and Kashmir; Andamanese: Andaman Islands; Jangil (Rutland Jarawa): now extinct, formerly of Rutland Island, Andamans; Onge: Little Andaman; Nicobarese people (Holchu): Nicobar Islands, India; Shompen: Nicobar Islands, India; Bhutia: Sikkim; Kota: Nilgiris etc.
Lahual and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh has strict rules for non-native people to reside or buy land or plot. Foreigners are being permitted to visit the restricted/protected areas by the authorities specified under Section 3 of the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958 by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh. Similarly, in Ladakh since May 1, 2014, Indian Nationals or Tourists need to present valid Photo ID, Nationality Proof at the Indo Tibetan Border Police or Army check-posts. However, all foreign nationals need to apply for PAP (Protect Area Permits) in a group of two or more through a registered travel agent in Leh. Acquiring PAP, allow foreigners to visit the restricted areas in Ladakh of Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri, Pangong Tso, and Dah–Hanu Villages. The States of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Nicobar Islands have similar types of ILPS imposed in their respective States. The aspirations to protect/preserved Indigenous Peoples of Indian States such as Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttaranchal, West Bengal and other hills regions of India are gaining momentum, because most of the ethnic minority groups believed that over the time they are slowly becoming minorities in their own homeland.
The Constitutions of India, Article 19 (D) & (E) allows all the citizens to move freely throughout the territory of India and to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India, however, sub-clause (5) emphasizes that the State can impose reasonable restrictions on the exercise of any of the rights conferred by the said sub-clauses (D & E) for the protection of the interests of any indigenous community. In Manipur, the said sub-clause of the article has been violated. There is no provision to protect the Indigenous Tribal Peoples—those who mainly reside in the four valleys districts of Manipur, whose populations, land and cultural identities are day-by-day diminishing. Thus, it is high-time for the State and Central Government to conserve/preserve the indigenous peoples of Manipur, before it is too late!
MANIPUR AND INNER LINE PERMIT SYSTEMS (ILPS)
Manipur comprises of complex set of indigenous Scheduled Castes (SC); Scheduled Tribes (ST) and General categories communities. The tribal Kukis and Nagas dominated the hilly areas, which is about 90% of the land (20089 km2) of Manipur. These two ethnic communities have very closed affinity with Meetei (General and OBC Categories) and shared historically, socially, culturally, economically and demographically—since thousands of years.
Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (MLR & LR) Act 1960 provide protections of indigenous tribal lands of Manipur in the five Hills Districts of Manipur, which is again strengthened with the recently held Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections and the proposed 6th Schedule to be implemented there. However, the porous Myanmar border provided safe-haven for foreigners to infiltrate in many districts of Manipur e.g. Churachandpur, Chandel and Ukhrul. The very close affinities to the ethnicity, languages and traditions of many Manipuri tribal and the Myanmarese people generally helped the latter to migrate and settle in many parts of Manipur—without proper documents or verifications. The Acts and Laws thus provided for Manipuri’s are toothless and are compromised at the cost of the original Manipuri tribal’s socio-economy, natural resources, land, culture and traditions.
On the other hand, the ‘Meeteis’, original ethnic Manipuri people residing mainly in the four valley districts (only 10% or 2238 km2 of the total geographical areas of Manipur) are day by day marginalized due to the pressures from various angles. The general populations of Meeteis are regarded as General Category with small sections of the community coming under Scheduled Caste (SC) and after the introductions of Other Backward Classes (OBC) insignificant numbers of socio-economically backward families were included in OBC categories by the Indian Union.
The history of Meeteis can be trace back to 33 AD, which is very distinct and thousands of years old language and folklores—found both orally and in written. Culturally, Meeteis can be regarded as one of the community, which has the richest cultures in the World. Indisputably, Meetei with distinct culture, tradition and language can be regarded as true indigenous community as per UN declarations, thus should be protected under the Constitutions of India.
Some of the points that seriously threaten the valley dwelling peoples and their lands in the four districts of Manipur are: 1. The four districts of Manipur is open for any Indian Citizen to purchase or reside, thus the land areas of Meeteis and Tribal are shrinking considerably since Indian independence. 2. Hybridizations due to migrations and immigrations seriously altered the genetic pools of the Indigenous Peoples in valley districts. 3. Dilutions and adulterations of cultures, traditions and languages during last three-four centuries and the significant socio-economic alterations after the merger of Manipur to the Indian Union, will slowly bring the Meetei community to minority level in their own homeland. 4. Though the present population growth rate of Manipur is about 18%, which is more than the national average—it is believed that the rate is mainly due to immense migrations of non-indigenous communities, foreigners such as Bangladeshi, Myanmarese, Nepalis etc. 5. In Manipur, there is no provision to protect the ST and SC communities who are presently residing in many small pockets of the valley districts and 6. Trans-boundaries subversive activities, thus arise in Manipur can be directly or indirectly linked with our inappropriate plans, policies, programs or legislative actions, which does not provide comprehensive protections for the Indigenous Peoples of Manipur.
The present mass actions taken up by the people of Manipur to introduce ILPS can be regarded as visionaries’ decisions to safeguard the unique traditions, cultures, languages, lands, natural resources, ecology, biodiversity and environment of Manipur. The political and government wills to protect and safeguard its own subjects, therefore, will give better impetus to bring peace and harmony to the State and to the Nation.
The article was sent by Khwairakpam Gajananda(Phd), Associate Professor, Centre for Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He can be reached at gajkh(at)yahoo(dot)com
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/ilps-and-indigenous-peoples-rights-manipur-2/
Delhi, July 27: A mass rally was organized under the banner of 1. Against the State Policy of Demographic Invasion. Implement Manipur State Permit System (MSPS) / ILP and
Delhi, July 27: A mass rally was organized under the banner of 1. Against the State Policy of Demographic Invasion. Implement Manipur State Permit System (MSPS) / ILP and 2. Protest the Brutality of State Forces in Suppressing Democratic Movement in Manipur. The Manipur Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD) with Manipur Young Mind Association Delhi and Fight You Are Not Alone and individuals have reaffirmed our commitments to protect the history, culture, population and future of Manipur from the continuous state policy of demographic invasion. As a result, lakhs of population have influx in the state of Manipur that have threatened the existence of the people of Manipur.
The rally was started from Mandi House at 11:30 a.m. and gathered at Jantar Mantar Parliament Street. Around 300 protesters were present at the rally. The protesters were shouted the following slogans a. Chingmi-Tammi Kallu, b. Amend Indian Constitution c. Implement Manipur Sate Permit System / ILPS c. CM Ibobi Down Down d. PM Modi Down Down e. Meethibong Meetambalsing Fam Thadok-u f. Long Live People’s Struggle g. Save Save Manipur h. Stop State Terrorism i. Long Live Robinhood and j. People United Will Never be Defeated. At the meantime, a memorandum was submitted to the President and Prime Minister of India.
The Demographic Invasion is rooted in the State policy. Historically, the entry of outsiders was always checked and regulated on the basis of Manipur’s capacity to absorb them. However, the official policy of unregulated influx of outsiders began when the then Dominion of India, imposed order to enlist refugees from the then East-Pakistan into the electoral list of Manipur. Thereafter, following the annexation of Manipur in October 1949, the Government of India, on 18 November 1950, abolished the pre-existing Permit System which had been regulating the entry of outsiders into Manipur.
The demands are as follows:
(I) Enactment and implementation of a law that will protect the people of Manipur from the state policy of Demographic Invasion that have threatened the polity, economy, culture and history of the peoples of Manipur. The law must incorporate the following points:
3. The year 1951 should be recognised as the base year to detect the non-Manipuris.
(II) Our position on State repression, and killing of a class XI student and injury of democratic protesters:
1. The Government of India must immediately stop repression on democratic movements in Manipur.
2. The Government of India must immediately lift the imposition of curfew and shutting down of educational establishments (since July 8 2015) in Manipur that have been carried out in the name of law and order.
3. The Government of India must not suspend the democratic rights of the students to take part in the people’s democratic movement in Manipur.
4. The Government of India must immediately punish the police personnel responsible for the killing of a class XI science student Sapam Robinhood on July 8, 2015 and severe injuries of 100 of students and protesters who were demanding a law to protect the rights of the peoples of Manipur. In this regards, actions must be taken up against the Home Minister and the Director General of Police, Manipur.
The meeting strongly endorsed to adopt these approaches to be adopted by the people who are part of the ongoing movement for Manipur State Permit System.
After the rally protesters were rushed to the residence of Dr. Th. Meinya, MP Lok Sabha. Initially he was reluctantly to come to meet the protesters. It was informed that until and unless he come out and received the demands of the people who were standing outside the gate we would not go back even if necessary we were ready to go to be arrested by the police. Finally he came out and he was submitted only one line demand that is resigned from the post of MP immediately. The protester were shouted slogans a. MP Meinya Fam Thadok-u b. Ikai khangdaba Toklasi c. Khudakta Fam Thadok-u d. Meethibong Meetambal Fam Thadok-u.
Unity is Victory
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/mass-rally-against-demographic-invasion-organised-in-delhi-by-msad/
`Suspend personnel involved in Robinhood`s death; provide written assurance to incorporate five-point recommendation` IMPHAL July 23: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System has decided to extend its deadline
Peoples convention on ILPS at Iboyaima Shanglen on 23 July 2015 . Photo : Athouba Khuraijam
`Suspend personnel involved in Robinhood`s death; provide written assurance to incorporate five-point recommendation`
IMPHAL July 23: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System has decided to extend its deadline for a new bill to monitor the unabated influx of outsiders into the State for a month following an intense five hour long brainstorming with the public and other leaders during a public consultative meeting.
The meeting convened to pool public opinion and suggestions on the present impasse between the State government and JCILPS was held at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen and organised by the committee.
More than 500 individuals participated in the intense discussion which was moderated by senior journalist Irengbam Arun.
The meeting commenced with the observance of a 2-minute silence in memory of Sapam Robinhood who was killed in police action to control a student rally on July 8.
At the end of the meeting the committee and those attending jointly resolved to extend the deadline set for the government to draft a new bill provided the government is ready to meet certain conditions.
The first of the conditions arrived at was for the government to pass the new bill before August 15 and that the government would provide a written insurance that it will incorporate the five points which were earlier recommended by the JCILPS to the government during the preparation of the now withdrawn Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill 2015.
Another condition was immediate suspension of the police personnel involved in the death of Sapam Robinhood and constitution of a judicial enquiry.
Peoples convention on ILPS at Iboyaima Shanglen on 23 July 2015 . Photo : Athouba Khuraijam
However, the meeting also resolved that people`s movement will continue until the new bill is passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Moderating the discussion, Arun explained that the purpose and the imperative need of the consultation was to streamline the future course of the movement.
He also observed that the last bill which stands withdrawn now following much public outcry was a misleading and mockery of the public demand.
He also explicitly asserted that the movement is not anti-non domicile and public should also be mindful/considerate of sensitive conducts and inconvenience due to instant impositions of bandhs, general strikes etc.
JCILPS co-convenor BK Moirangcha in his key-note address said for almost three years now, since November 2012 to be precise, the JCILPS has been campaigning for a legislation to legally safeguard the rights of the people of Manipur.
Several speakers from different fields of expertise also shared the platform to express their views on the present movement with the core concerns of almost all speakers centering on the alarming tripling of non-indigenous population of the State and the indigenous people`s shrinking ownership of resources especially land.
Executive members of the JCILPS also detailed the five-point recommendation which has already been submitted to the government and further sought a consensus on the points from those attending the meeting.
It was also observed during the meeting that the wave of support in the ongoing movement has come from the ordinary laymen including women groups, senior citizens, local clubs, individuals, CBOs and CSOs.
Leaders and representatives of the United Committee Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs` Organisation, Information Center for Hill Areas, Manipur also attended and placed suggestions on the present movement.
Several speakers also raised issues on the need to re-open educational institutes, which have today become the major casualty sufferers during any movement in the State.
One of the speakers, Dr Khomdon Lisam voiced his concern about the absence of a guiding constitutional expert in the present drafting committee constituted by the government to prepare the bill.
People`s Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDAM) president Yumnamcha Dilip Kumar also raised concern over the trust deficit of the public on the present government and its tactics, ever since the latter `betrayed the public.`
He further suggested opening up of a communication channel between the JCILPS and the government to ensure that the five-point recommendation is incorporated in the bill this time.
Titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba implored the government to empathise and acknowledge the popular sentiment of the people and safeguard `our identity.`
He continued that the government should constitute a well represented drafting committee which will be acceptable to the public and incorporate the recommendation of the JCILPS.
He also sought penalty for the police personnel involved in the action which led to the death of Sapam Robinhood.
Meanwhile, another speaker questioned as to why the government failed to utilise the Law Secretary, the Advocate General or a constitutional expert for drafting such an important law.
Senior citizen Dr Arambam Lokendro also asserted that JCILPS being the representative of the public has the right to be informed about the progress of the drafting process of the bill and on the status of the five points.
The government drafting committee should also accommodate further suggestions that evolved from public consultations, he observed.
He suggested few actions for the government to restore the trust of the people, which include constituting a judicial inquiry on the death of Sapam Robinhood, extending official invitation to JCILPS, and drawing up ILPS or a similar law to safeguard the indigenous people in the State.
He also shared his concern about the national media projecting the movement in a different light.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/jcilps-ready-to-extend-deadline-for-new-bill-but-with-a-rider/
IMPHAL, July 22: Agitations demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State and punishment for the police personnel involved in the death of student Sapam Robinhood continued
Students of Waikhom Mani Girls College form a human chain along the Impha-Moreh Highway in support of ILPS.
IMPHAL, July 22: Agitations demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State and punishment for the police personnel involved in the death of student Sapam Robinhood continued at several places in the State today.
As part of the movement, Meitei pangals of Andro constituency today staged a sit in protest and later formed a human chain at the Yairipok Azad bazaar.
The agitators also observed a one-minute silence in memory of Late Sapam Robinhood.
The agitation was jointly organised by the Tulihal Educated Association, SDYO, TMWA, IYDO, Ningthounai Youth Organisation, local clubs of Changamdabi and Laikol Muslim clubs.
President of the Tulihal Educated Association, Md Thoiba said the people fully support the demand for implementation of the ILPS in the State.
Now that Ramadan- the holy month fasting is over, we will come out in full support of the demand, he said.
He further urged the government to stop neglecting people`s demand until there is a death and deploying delay tactics.
He asked whether the government would not have withdrawn the bill, if there were no incidents of death or people getting injured during the movement.
Taking a week`s time just for the formation of a Drafting Committee is akin to showing disrespect to the public movement, he said.
Several local leaders also spoke on the ILPS during the protest.
Agitators also shouted slogans demanding implementation of the ILPS in the State and action against the police personnel involved in the death of Robinhood.
They also shouted that there is no peace in Manipur.
The sit in protest was also participated by students of Azad High School, Antartic English School and Model Kids Centre all located in Yairipok Tulihal.
Meira paibis groups and local youth clubs of Tentha area also sit in protest at the Tentha Multiplex complex and later took out a rally starting from Tentha Khongbal Leikai.
Students of local schools like United English School, Oxford English School, Model English School.
During the protest demonstration, the protestors demanded amending the Constitution if it is required in order to implement the ILPS in the State and to punish the police personnel involved in the death of the student Robinhood.
Students of Waikhom Mani Girls College, Thoubal also formed a human chain on Imphal-Moreh national highway.
Meira paibis of Nongangkhong also staged a sit in protest at the Thoubal Ningthou Lai haraobung, while students of Pole Star School also formed a human chain showing support to the ongoing ILPS movement.
NNN adds: Today residents of Khurai Sajor Leikai formed a mob and stopped traffic movement in Imphal-Ukhrul road.
Since early morning, people of the locality came out out and blocked the road.
They said they will continue blocking the road until the state government implements ILPS in Manipur.
Vehicles coming along the road from both sides were made to turn back.
At Lamlong Bazar too, women vendors of the market staged a sit-in-protest wearing black badges in demand of the ILP system and punishment to those security personnel who were responsible for the death of student Sapam Robinhood. Similar protests were also held at Nambol Hao Keithel, Haobam Marak and many other areas.
Many women of Uripok area also demanded implementation of ILP system in Manipur by staging a sit-in-protest beneath the Uripok Flyover Bridge.
Members of 12 major transporter organisations today staged a sit-in-protest demanding the implementation of ILP system in Manipur. The protest was held at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai area on the side of Tiddim Road. The members announced to support the on-going agitation by stopping their services on July 24 from 4 am to 6 pm.
The transporters strongly condemned the brutal killing of Sapam Robinhood by the state forces.
Announcing that they will support the actions of the JCILPS and JAC of Robinhood, they also demanded the state government to implement ILP system in Manipur and to punish those personnel who killed Robinhood as per law accordingly.
Those who attended in the protest today appealed all the drivers, truckers and transporters of the state to support and join in the cease-work strike of July 24.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/human-chains-and-sitins-mark-ilps-demand-agitation/
By Praem Hidam Now that a young student has been murdered and there is an acute sense of grief and resentment among the protesters. While this brutality on the part
By Praem Hidam
Now that a young student has been murdered and there is an acute sense of grief and resentment among the protesters. While this brutality on the part of the government’s response has only stiffened its callousness and regulations, the protestors are simply roiling. In this conjuncture, the only way to become vocal and audible enough is to use a language of rioting, though it is not what we always intend to do. In it we find a flow of messages and the government knows what we do. This precisely has remained to be the only way of communicating with this government. We believe that not everything in the world especially things like the one we are handling cannot always be subsumed to operate under the law and institutions. The point is, our upsurge is democratic and we are democratic by any count.
To begin with, let us first agree to this fact that we cannot afford to lose the speed and mobility of what has happened in the last few weeks. But this may not mislead us to losing sight of where we are heading to with the same speed and mobility, at this rate. Any agitation including this one if it is to grow in a direction that can truly offer promises for a better scheme of things, cannot miss but to engage with the contradictions of its strengths. How we choose to engage with our own contradictions is prefigurative in the sense that it will shape the future course of the movement and its wider outcomes. That will come slowly but surely will it come.
This short discussion is about these concerns.
What we need to do, and which is what we are trying to do here, is rather to try and give some insights in order for us to be able to carry out a vision and make sure that the popular mandate that we have on this issue can do wonders in an entirely different political conjecture which is far removed from the institutional working of electoral democracy.
It is true that we see some ideals in the scheme of things that may happen in post ILP scenario. And here are a couple of questions that we need to address if we believe in the ideals of this current agitation. How are we going to make sure that the present agitation is transformed into a ceaseless prodding for a more progressive society; into a movement that is connected as a part of wider currents of other political movements? Have we ever thought of this? Or shall we expand our objectives as we have grown into this stage of movement that truly has become one of the most popular upsurges in the recent years?
As we know, and this is true especially in the case of Manipur, that different conjectures of politics have often mounted up simultaneously that even as we are trying to keep pace with rapid turns of events we have already missed steps and very often fall back on common sense which often are uncritical, over generalized and blinded. Keeping in view the sequences of all the happenings of this agitation, we may however say this with commitment that the only strategy, perhaps the most important of all is to mobilize on common sense.
A cautious and critical relationship with common sense will enable us to see some contents of popular sensibilities which are more positive and politically reliable, that have traces of better vision of change and resistance. We also believe that these contents will be a big help to re-strengthen the organizational crafts when it comes to transforming this demand into a wider and lasting movement, connecting it to other movements of our times.
In order for it to be more meaningful we can rebuild this agitation on the spontaneous philosophy of the ordinary people, on the battlefield that is street and other places like this. The question is not of entirely relying on the leadership and the organizations leading this agitation but of renovating and making critical an already existing activity, of helping the people’s consciousness to perfection. We do not intend to see a movement that is merely popular which may happen to be a tilted, singular, and majoritarian expression; but a movement that is truly founded on the common wisdom that could withstand elitist and anti- democratic stances. We also intend to see a movement with a broad coalition consisting of communities and groups. Many of the misgivings about this agitation can be avoided if the leadership has the patience to listen attentively to the people’s common sense, across communities and try to develop strategies towards greater coherence. To move along as a movement we need to hone a collective agency and this could possibly be achieved if we can identify what contents of popular sensibilities are potential of undermining and of being critical of the regressive intensities and tendencies, the contradictory wisdoms and common senses.
Having said this, we are now proceeding to an aspect of this agitation which is particularly crucial to the circulation of the demands that goes far and wide. It is true that we demand with a desire to envisage a future, and in fact we do hope so, where we are secure and live on our own terms. This penchant for being ourselves along with the vision that seeks to protect it and the self that is being projected are not however given. They all are constituted within specific historical configuration that is nothing but our own doings, lives and experiences. The demand for ILP is no exception and it is in this sense a product of our times.
Deriving from our encounters with debris and the propellants, we might also consider that our agitation is not going to be a question of law alone. In actual fact, it will never be one. There is one aspect of this issue and it relates to a war like situation where two economies are in conflict. One works with its power to distribute, divide and occupy while the other operates with intensities of anger, disaffection, fear and retaliation. The former advances with Capital (usually money, goods and networks) the latter being about one that is left unused, untapped and replaced usually resist the other economy in the form of what is going on today, riots. Since war and economies figure as essential tropes in the overall picture, the current agitation can even grow much further into becoming a movement for just distribution of opportunities and free and equal chance to capabilities and aspirations. These are even at this moment what our demands are for. This war is thus not only about outsiders or insiders. Its potential power lies in its ability to raise the basic questions that have got on our nerves for quite a long time. From ILP we can further move against all kinds of exploitation, for a society where the common have a good part in the running of their affairs, including what they do to earn and live. If we want to go deeper and come up with alternative modes of life and governance which can be comparatively much better than the one we are living with, what else can it be other than this form of upsurge?
The outside will be transformed into a symbolic form and it can be anything, be it institutions, agencies, the bourgeois political order, or the system of power or something else. Anything or anybody that coerces us, disables us to become and prevents us from desiring to be what we are and what we can do constitutes the symbolic form in the figure of the outsider. Either inside or outside, with outsiders or insiders all that remains for us is to move and grow, to question and critique as a movement and perennially in motion.
If it is what we can do and we are so potential in our ability to grow, why are then we so obsessed with a law which was used by the colonial authorities to rule us, to exploit our resources in secret, by not allowing others to know what was actually going on behind the veil of inner line which was nothing but keeping us inside, forcing us to be covered not to see what was being done on us, on our land? Very simple. Being behind the line is a serious business and wanting to cross it is even more so!
(Dr Praem Hidam holds a Phd from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He lives in Delhi and can be contacte at praemhidam@gmail.com)
The article was originally published in The Sangai Express on 21 July 2015.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/where-do-we-go-from-ilp/
