Manipur withdraws bill on regulation of visitors, migrant workers

The Manipur government withdrew the controversial bill meant for protection of the interests of indigenous people after days of widespread protests against the proposed legislation, which saw one student being killed last week in a clash between the state police and protesters.

The Manipur government withdrew the controversial bill meant for protection of the interests of indigenous people after days of widespread protests against the proposed legislation, which saw one student being killed last week in a clash between the state police and protesters.

Police try to intercept a protest march by students of TG Higher Secondary School and GP Women college in front of Raj Bhavan in Imphal. (Sobhapati Samom/HT Photo)

The state government has decided to withdraw the Manipur Regulation of Visitors and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015, said a statement by N Ashok Kumar, secretary to the chief minister.

The Bill was passed on March 16 by the state Assembly. A special sitting of the Manipur State Assembly is being convened shortly, the statement added.

The Bill had come under attack from those demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state, who claimed that it did little to protect the interests of indigenous people of the state.

Indefinite curfew was imposed in state capital Imphal on Thursday after the death of a student during a clash between police and protesters.

With the situation improving, the curfew was relaxed in the morning hours since Saturday.

The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) is spearheading the protest against the Bill and has been insisting on the passing of a new one to "safeguard the interests of indigenous people and fulfil their aspirations".

Earlier, clashes erupted between agitators and police in the Greater Imphal area on Sunday as supporters of the Inner Line Permit continued their defiance of the curfew, which entered its fifth day, and took to the streets in large numbers.

Police said the forces burst teargas shells to control the agitators, who in turn used slingshots and catapults on them.

Both sides sustained minor injuries, police said, adding that the clashes took places after the end of the curfew relaxation hours at 12 noon.