Manipur Arrests West Bengal Workers for ILP Violation

Imphal, Manipur: Police in Manipur have apprehended four workers from West Bengal for violating the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, bringing the total number of such arrests this month to 33. The workers were detained on Saturday at the Yairipok Bishnunaha water reservoir construction site in Thoubal district.

Identified as Afsar Ali (22), Md. Sanfaraj (20), Md. Rahamtullah (23), and Sahabaj Alam (20), all hailing from Uttar Dinajpur district in West Bengal, the individuals are being processed for deportation. Legal action has been initiated against them under the provisions of the ILP system.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh took to social media platform X, urging employers, contractors, and residents to cooperate with authorities in enforcing the ILP system effectively.

Earlier this month, 29 individuals were detected flouting ILP guidelines in Imphal West district. These individuals, originally from West Bengal and Assam, were working at a bakery in the Mayang Imphal Bengoon area under Labour Category ILPs. Their permits were cancelled, and they were deported to their respective home states.

Following the incident, the Manipur Home Department instructed district authorities and the Deputy Labour Commissioner to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action against any government officials involved in the lapse.

The Chief Minister has also formed a state-level committee to review the implementation of ILP. The committee, headed by the Commissioner (Home), includes representatives from various departments, including the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Chief Electoral Officer, Land Resource Department, DCs, and Senior Superintendent of Police of districts.

The heightened vigilance comes amidst unrest in Bangladesh, prompting all northeastern states, including Manipur, to strengthen their efforts against illegal immigration. Various tribal bodies and civil society organizations in some northeastern states are demanding stricter enforcement of the ILP to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants.

The ILP, a travel document required by Indian citizens to visit certain northeastern states, aims to protect the indigenous populations of these regions. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur currently enforce the ILP system. Non-indigenous individuals must obtain an Inner Line Permit to enter these northeastern states for a specified period and purpose.