As part of the ongoing mass movement being spearheaded by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) for enforcement of ILPS in Manipur, a public meeting was held today at Tera Keithel under the aegis of the State Platform of Disabled People’s Organisation Manipur.
Addressing the meeting, UPF president BM Yaima, quoting 2001 census report, said that the total population of Manipur was 22,93,895 out of which non-local people constitute 7,40,448.
The total population of Manipur rose to 28,55,744 in 2011 but the break-up figure for non-local population was not given in the 2011 census report, BM Yaima said.
According to the 2001 census report, the total population of the Meiteis who constitute the largest community in Manipur was 7,51,822 which was just 47,334 persons greater than the total population of non-local people. Given these incompatible growth rates, the population of non-local people should have certainly overshot the population of Meiteis by 2011.
The incessant influx of outsiders into Manipur was revealed without any doubt when a considerable number of non-local people who did not possess valid identification documents were rounded up as part of the ongoing movement for enforcement of ILPS in Manipur.
Nowadays, Meiteis enter into wedlock very late and a Meitei couple generally give birth to one or two children or three at the most. The incompatible growth rates between Meiteis and non-local people have drastically altered the demographic profile of Manipur.
Now, non-local people when clubbed together constitute the largest community of Manipur, he claimed.
Compared to indigenous people, non-local people are less choosy about their vocations. They take up any available job and can survive and prosper within a short period.
Even when armed groups target non-local people, they don’t feel like leaving Manipur because they have been lured by the attractive labour markets and generous ex-gratia given by the State Government in case they get killed. That is why there is no let up in the unidirectional migration towards Manipur, Yaima said.
He highlighted the need to control the influx of outsiders through an effective and systematic mechanism.
Addressing the public meeting cum protest demonstration, MAPI Council advisor Th Manihar demanded unconditional and immediate release of all the people arrested by the Government in connection with the mass movement for ILPS.
Additional SP Victoria who allegedly sabotaged the scheduled dialogue between the Government and the JCILPS should be suspended and the Government should work earnestly to resolve the ILPS issue, Manihar demanded.
The public meeting cum protest demonstration was jointly organised by the Handicapped Foundation Manipur, Disabled Development Association Manipur, Society for Disabled Persons Manipur, Society for Disabled Care, Hiyangthang and Thoubal District Disabled Association.
The protest demonstration was participated by students of Takyel Blind School, Takyel Deaf and Mute School and Kebol High School.
Md Junus Khan, one of the protesters, said that disabled persons would take part and contribute their mite in all major issues confronting Manipuri society. He also demanded release of all pro-ILPS activists arrested by the Government and dismissal of Additional SP Y Victoria.
On the other hand, a protest demonstration on the demand for enforcement of ILPS in Manipur was staged at Phura Makhong Nambul Mapal community hall under the aegis of the Nupi Samaj Welfare Association.
Similar protest demonstrations were also staged at different places along Mayai Lambi. They protesters also burnt effigies of Additional SP (Traffic) Y Victoria.
A similar protest demonstration was also staged at Thangmeiband Hijam Leikai on the common demand for enforcement of ILPS, dismissal of Addl SP Victoria and unconditional release of all arrested pro-ILPS activists.
Source: The Sangai Express
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