Manipur CM convenes all-party meeting on permit issue

In the wake of a renewed agitation on the Inner Line Permit issue, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has convened a meeting of leaders of all political parties in Manipur on Monday morning to take stock of the situation.

Indications are that a delegation of Manipur's parties may visit New Delhi to pressurise the central government to give assent to three bills passed in the assembly on August 31 last year.

However, it is no easy thing since the tribals are opposing these "anti-tribal bills" tooth and nail.

The women's wing of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System, which has launched the stir on the issue, says it will continue with its agitation till the bills become law.

The Inner Line Permit has been enforced in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland but the Centre says it cannot be implemented in Manipur for unexplained reasons.

--IANS

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