Imphal: Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) on Thursday demanded deportation of non-locals who entered Manipur without Inner Line Permit (ILP).
The committee alleged that a large number of outsiders have entered the State without obtaining the permit, taking advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown.
It is mandatory for the non-locals visiting the State to obtain ILP after the extension of Bengal Eastern Regulation 1873 in the State with effect from January 1, 2020.
However, the Manipur government had temporarily suspended the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP) since March 18, 2020 as precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the State.
Addressing a press conference in Imphal, JCILPS convenor YK Dhiren alleged that a large number of migrant labourers have entered the State taking advantage of the lockdown. He also said that a large number of outsiders are lodging at the COVID-19 quarantine centres in various parts of the State, particularly in Imphal after they arrived in Imphal by air.
As per COVID-19 protocol, all (state native and outsiders) visiting the State have to be quarantined for 14 days.
The JCILPS convenor questioned how the authorities of the state government manning the entry points in the State allowed non-locals to enter even as no ILP was issued.
Dhiren alleged that lodging a number of non-locals at COVID-19 quarantine centres showed that they were entering the State without any restriction.
Pointing out that most of the non-locals entering the State are labourers, the JCILPS convenor demanded the state government to inquire into the matter if contractors having connection with high profile persons of the State government are behind bringing in non-locals in the State.
Dhiren then said that the JCILPS was aware of entry of outsiders who have been made to lodge in various quarantine centres in the State even though the issuing of ILP discontinued from March 18, 2020.
NNN