Speaking to media persons at the end of the Freshers' Meet cum Annual Get-Together of Tribal Students’ Union, DM College of Arts, Gaikhangam confided that the Government is apprehensive of violent protest demonstration by students in pursuit of the demand for enforcement of ILPS in Manipur.
Expressing strong displeasure over ‘curfew’ imposed by students on non-local people, the Deputy Chief Minister advised one and all against taking the law into one’s hands.
A large number of Manipuri people are working/studying in different parts of India, he reminded.
“We should think for them too. This does not necessarily mean the ILPS wave would lose tempo. We should all strive collectively for enforcement of ILPS in Manipur but we should restrain ourselves from indulging in any form of violence”, Gaikhangam said.
Calling upon all student bodies, civil society organisations and Meira Paibis to ponder over the issue, the Deputy Chief Minister maintained that all stakeholders must avoid projecting themselves as espousing divergent outlooks.
All issues can be resolved through dialogue. The stand-off over the demand to release arrested students and suspension of the Additional SP can be resolved through dialogue at the level of the Chief Minister, he added.
Public curfew imposed against non-local people is not desirable yet the Government has no intention to crack down on student activists, Gaikhangam confided.
Security of Manipuri people living in other States of India is another area of concern for the State Government.
“We need to study all aspects as well as possible repercussions and ramifications. Any protest movement should be democratic. The Government has already constituted a committee to study the matter from legal perspectives in consultation with legal experts”, Gaikhangam stated.
A meeting is being organised with experts and public leaders on September 15. The matter may be taken to the Supreme Court, if necessary.
At the same time, the committee may study the model of ILPS being implemented in Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam, and submit a memorandum to the Government.
There is no difference of opinion among the students, women activists, JCILPS, Government and political parties but it appears that there is a discord among some stakeholders on the issue of ILPS.
If the 28 lakh people of Manipur strive collectively, the ILPS lobby would definitely end in victory, Gaikhangam asserted.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister graced the freshers’ meet cum annual get-together held at DM College Multipurpose Hall as chief guest.
Speaking at the occasion, Gaikhangam expressed strong displeasure over celebration of freshers’ meet only for tribal students. Freshers’ meet should be for all the students of the college, he asserted.
Freedom does not mean one is free to do anything one fancies. Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing too attended the function. He lauded DM Colleges’ improved physical infrastructure and faculties.
Victor Keishing said that all the indigenous communities of Manipur constitute a big family which cannot be separated under any circumstances.
DM College of Arts Principal A Nungshitombi was also seated on the dais. The freshers’ meet function also featured traditional as well as modern entertainment programmes.
Source: The Sangai Express
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