Manipur withdraws Bill on regulation of visitors, migrants

 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 <g data-gr-id="23">those demanding implementation</g> of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state, who charged saying it did little to protect the interests of indigenous people of the state.

Indefinite curfew was imposed in <g data-gr-id="18">state</g> capital Imphal on Thursday after the death of a student during a clash between police and protesters.

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

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 today as supporters of 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.