Nobody driven out

Guwahati, Sep 7 : The Manipuri Association North-East India today claimed that no non-Manipuri citizen had been driven out of the state during the violence in the hills after three bills were passed by the cabinet on August 31 as part of introduction of the inner-line permit there.

"No non-Manipuris have been driven out of Manipur in the violence. The media has reported it wrongly. It is true that a few people have left the state out of fear, but nobody was beaten or driven out," said Potshangban Sonamoni Singh, president of the association .

Supporting the implementation of ILP in Manipur, Singh said: "There is a need to regulate immigration in order to preserve the culture and ethnicity of Manipuris. Therefore, ILP is necessary. But no community can thrive alone. Meiteis, being Vaishnavites, are taught to live and prosper peacefully along with other communities. I support passing of all the three bills by the cabinet."

Earlier in 2011, the census revealed that the population of migrants, who are referred in Manipuri as Mayangs, had shot high by 400 per cent in the state.

The Manipur cabinet passed three bills - Protection of Manipur People's Bill, 2015, Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill.

The association has its headquarters in all the states of the Northeast, including one in Guwahati's Rajbari area.

Singh, on behalf of the association, urged protesters in Manipur to sit down with the government instead of spreading violence.

He added that the economic blockades had left several development projects pending and had ultimately resulted in the backwardness of the state.

"We should look into the greater interest of Manipur and help the government," he added.