Breakthrough in talks between JCILPS and government; joint agreement signed
IMPHAL, August 19: The third round of talks between the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System and the State government ended on a positive note today with the two signing a joint agreement on the issue of the five-point demand of the JCILPS.
Two days after the State government had announced its stand on incorporating the five-point demand in the new ILP bill, the JCILPS held talks with the government today.
A JCILPS team led by its convenor in charge Kh Ratan had entered the Chief Minister’s secretariat around 11am today for the talks.
The marathon meeting ended at 6pm.
The JCILPS team included 12 members and another six consultative committee members from its drafting committee.
The State government was represented by the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues.
Soon after emerging from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, JCILPS convenor Ratan stopped for a brief meeting with the waiting media persons.
Ratan said during the meeting both sides deliberated on the government prepared fresh bill and the manner in which the government will be incorporating the five-point demand.
He said although the government has assured to incorporate all five points, there are still some issues regarding two points which need to be cleared.
He said the two points are inclusion of ‘the cut off base year of 1951 to all people participating and creating of demographic influx into the State and detection and deportation of illegal migrant or other non-indigenous people.’
He continued considering the signing of the agreement with the government, the JCILPS has called a public convention tomorrow to take the public opinion on the development.
The JCILPS will also meet the government for the fourth round of talk tomorrow evening after the public convention, Ratan informed.
Meanwhile, replying to a query on the timeline for the bill to be introduced in the State Assembly, he said the government has assured to introduce it within August 25, however, we will take the opinion of the public on the issue first.
He also said that the ongoing movement will continue until the bill is produced in the State Assembly, and once it is done, talks on accepting (L) Robinhood’s body will be held.
Meanwhile, a statement signed jointly by the JCILPS convenor-in charge Kh Ratan and special secretary Home M Yaishkul Meitei has said that during today’s meeting, it was agreed upon to incorporate the five demands of the JCILPS and the public in separate bills related to safeguarding the indigenous population of the State.
It is also learnt that the public convention of the JCILPS will be held tomorrow at the Manipur Dramatic Union Hall at 11am.
