Police on January 7 detained some students who took part in a protest against court petition challenging introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur.
The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) demanded “immediate unconditional” release of the detained students.
Police detained at least five students who took part in a protest staged by the student wing of JCILPS against the court petition on introduction of the ILP system in the state.
The Supreme Court of India, a few days ago, issued a notice to the central government and Manipur government on a plea challenging the system filed by Amra Bangali, a Kolkata-based organization.
The court petition sought a directive of the court to revoke the ILP system.
Demanding withdrawal of the court petition, a group of students under the aegis of JCILP, Students’ Wing, staged a protest in front of Western Gate of Kangla fort in Imphal.
The protesters burnt effigies of leaders of the Amra Bangali while shouting various slogans against the organization.
At a time when police were trying to control the situation, the protesters tried to carry out a protest rally on the street along BT Road.
A confrontation between the protesters and police broke out, following which the police picked up at least five of them. They were immediately transferred to the city police station.
Talking to reporters at the protest site, leaders of the students’ wing of the JCILPS said that the ILP system was introduced in the state with the sole objective of protecting the indigenous people of the state and it was not against any particular community.
By filing a petition to the court, Amra Bangali challenged the constitutional right of the people of Manipur, the student wing of JCILPS alleged.
Meanwhile, the students’ wing of JCILPS has warned that the committee will launch a series of agitations if the students arrested by the police are not released immediately without any condition.
Addressing a press conference at JCILPS office in Imphal, students’ wing convener, Haobijam Challamba reminded that the Centre introduced the ILP system in the state following a constant movement to protect the indigenous people of the state.
The court petition came at a time when JCILPS and other civil society organizations are demanding effective implementation of the ILP system in Manipur.
“We strongly condemn Amra Bangali for going to the court for revocation of the ILP system,” Challamba said.
