IMPHAL, July 12: With public pressure mounting on the demand for withdrawal of the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenant and Migrant Workers`™ Bill, 2015, the State government has decided to withdraw the infamous bill and convene a special Assembly session soon.
Making the announcement before media persons this evening at his cabinet secretariat, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said the government has withdrawn the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenant and Migrant Workers`™ Bill, 2015.
A special sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly will be convened shortly, he said.
The decision to withdraw the bill was taken after an elaborate discussion of the present issue during a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party today, Ibobi informed the media persons.
On the other hand, the JCILPS has informed that it will continue with its agitation until its demands are met even though the government has withdrawn the bill.
Replying to a question as to whether the JCILPS will continue with its proposed bandh and other form of agitations now that the controversial bill has been withdrawn, a co-convenor of the committee told IFP that the demand of the committee is the conduct of a special sitting of the House to pass a new bill which would satisfy the people.
The JCILPS will not cease its agitations until the Assembly session passes a new bill which would safeguard the indigenous population of the State, he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister informed the media persons that in an effort to realize the demand of the public and the Joint Committee on ILPS, the government had formed the All Political party Committee on ILPS to bring out a bill, he said.
He said after four-five months of discussions and meetings with legal experts and other intellectuals, the committee had submitted its recommendations to the government.
Based on the recommendations, a bill was tabled during the 10th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly on March 10 for discussion, which was passed by the House on March 16, he continued.
However, the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers`™ Bill, 2015 was not only despised and opposed by the people, but failed to receive assent of the Governor, he said.
Since, the 11th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine-die and the Governor is yet to give his prorogue, the State cabinet meeting tomorrow will resolve to convene a special session of the Assembly.
Ibobi also said that he had apprised the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh of the present people`™s movement on the ILPS issue, during yesterday`™s meeting of Chief Ministers of north eastern States held in Guwahati which was also attended by the Union Home Minister, Minister of State Home and DoNER Minister.
The Chief Minister said he informed the Home Minister of the public demand as to why the Act is not implemented in Manipur although it is still implemented in other States like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Ibobi said he had even discussed with the Union Ministers on the feasibility of implementing a uniform law on the issue which could be implemented in all States of the country.
The late evening press meet was also attended by the members of the Congress Legislature Party.