After Four Days of Curfew & Widespread Protests, Imphal Valley Still Tensed

Widespread protest demonstrations were held across Imphal Valley against the killing of a student during a rally demanding the withdrawal of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVT&MW) Bill 2015 on July 8.

A class 9th student was killed and several wounded on Wednesday in a violent tussle between students and the police over the implementation of the Inner Line Permit, regulating the entry of outsiders – both Indians and foreigners – into the state. It is the fourth day of the curfew, with only five hours of relaxation yesterday morning. The Manipur Police say they are doing their best to prevent another major flare up, but there will be no complete relaxation of curfew till the situation goes back to normal.

The Joint Committee of the Inner Line Permit claims that the current laws remain lax, leading to influx of outsiders, taking away major job opportunities. The protestors allege that the migrant population is becoming the same strength in numbers as the Manipuris and they want nothing less than the permit system to be imposed. Earlier in March, the government had passed a bill making it mandatory for all outsiders to register themselves with authorities upon entering the state.

Currently, the permit system is in place in the other north-eastern states of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.