Delhi rejects 3 anti-migrant bills passed by Manipur

Legal and constitutional experts are to re-examine the three Manipur anti-migrant bills and come up with new legislation, it was decided following a meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and a Manipur delegation headed by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Rajnath Singh is understood to have conveyed to the delegates of all political parties from Manipur the reasons for rejecting the three bills passed by the Manipur Assembly on August 31, 2015.

A joint statement issued by Ibobi Singh and other political representatives on Tuesday shortly after the crucial meeting said that legal and constitutional experts shall re-examine the bills for new legislation.

The joint statement said: "An hour long meeting was held with Home Minister on Tuesday and there were 18 delegates."

The contentious bills are the Manipur Land Reforms and Land Revenue (7th Amendment) Bill, 2015, the Manipur Shops and Establishment (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Protection of Peoples Bill, 2015.

The experts shall examine the first two bills for a "reasonable conclusion". In case of the third bill, legal and constitutional experts shall "re-examine the bill for a new legislation taking into consideration all aspects of the hill and valley people of Manipur".

Apprehending more trouble in the valley, the joint statement also appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony.

Since last year Manipur has been experiencing various forms of agitations in connection with the bills.

--IANS

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