What is the Inner Line Permit controversy in Manipur?

Manipur is in turmoil for implementing the Inner Line Permit to protect the indigenous people of the state. So far, 8 people have been killed and dozens injured in protests that have engulfed the region. The houses of an MP and 6 MLAs were set on fire in Churachandpur town on Monday following which an indefinite curfew has been imposed. As the agitations and protests rock the state, here's a primer on why the Manipuris are keen to bring the Inner Line Permit into effect.

What is the Inner Line Permit?

The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to grant inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indians residing outside those states to obtain permission prior to entering the protected areas.

Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill 2015

In Manipur, for the past several months, protests are on to demand the implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the region. In 2012, the Manipur assembly passed a resolution to the government, seeking the implementation of the ILP system in the region. But instead, in March this year, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh introduced the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill 2015. The bill proposed to list all visitors, tenants and migrant workers with the directorate of regulation of visitors and tenants, which will be set up under the proposed act and state labour department.

However, the bill was later withdrawn after it earned the wrath of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit, who felt the bill failed to safeguard the interests of the indigenous people.

Excessive influx of tourists

Prior to Manipur's merger with India, Manipur had become a state and nearly had the ILP system. However, it was only in 1951 when the then chief commissioner Himmat Singh lifted the rule and allowed unregulated entry of outsiders into the region.

K. H. Ratan, convener-in-charge of the Joint Committee on ILPS (JCILPS) told IANS that according to the 2011 census, the population of Manipur is a little over 27 lakh. Of this, only 17 lakh (1.7 million) are indigenous people and 10 lakh (one million) are outsiders. Whereas, according to a Business Standard report, of about 2.7 million people in Manipur, about 700,000 are of non-Manipuri origin.

Fears and worries of the Manipuris

According to a report in DNA, the influx of foreign tourists has increased exponentially, thus creating a demographic imbalance in the region. If this was not enough, illegal immigration from Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar has also contributed to the crisis. This has created fear among the locals over employment and availability of resources. At a time where there already exists stiff competition between the locals and outsiders over jobs, the outsiders mostly settle for low paid work.

What we know about the protests

The ongoing agitation took an ugly turn when villagers torched the houses of MP of Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, Thangso Baite, Manipur Family Welfare Minister Phungzaphang Tonsimg, and that of five MLAs, including Manga Vaiphei and Vungzagin Valte of Thanlom.

What we don't know about the protests

advertisement
• A report in the Indian Express stated that it is the dominant Mietei community of Manipur, largely Vaishnav Hindus, who have been the active players in the agitation.
• The tribal population of Manipur which inhabits its five hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel (Naga districts) and Churachandpur (occupied by the Kuki and Zomi tribes), reportedly have no role to play.
• A rumour that ILP agitation is a Meitei ploy to gain the Scheduled Tribe status is making rounds in the region. The move by the Meitei is being seen as an attempt to grab the land of the tribals and deprecate them further.
• The Indian Express reported that according to Principal Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu, the ongoing agitation in the state has "communal overtones and tends to polarize the society".

BJP's reaction

Political parties have come in support of the implementation of the ILP. The BJP has also come forward to join the cause. Earlier, BJP had opposed the operation of the ILP in Manipur, including Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya. However, in July, Manipur Pradesh president submitted a memorandum to the governor, seeking the implementation of ILP. In addition to BJP, several regional parties have also extended their support to the same.

Division in Congress

Although the Congress claims to oppose the implementation of the Inner Line Permit and remain united over the issue, the stand by Chief Minister Ibobi Singh in favour of the same clearly brings to light the differences in the party over the ILP. Singh has shown his support and has appealed to the BJP-led Centre to bring the document into effect.