The Manipur Government Monday constituted a state-level committee to review the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system after 29 people were found to have been issued ILP in violation of guidelines. The 29 individuals were apprehended at Mayang Imphal in Imphal West district during a raid conducted on Saturday. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the raid was conducted following a tip-off that a group of Bangladeshis illegally entered the state. But all 29 people turned out to be residents of Assam. “The 29 individuals were working in a bakery under the Labour Category of ILP – which upon verification through Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West was found to have been issued not in compliance with Manipur ILP guidelines, 2019. As per preliminary findings, we have identified the officer who issued the permits,” said Biren Singh. As per ILP guidelines, 2019 (amended in 2022), the Labour Permit is issued for a specific period to a group of labourers or individual labourers brought by any contractor/ firm/ company/ or individual engaging them in construction work. In this case, the individuals should have been provided with the Regular ILP, subject to sponsorship from any permanent resident of the state. Singh said the permit issued to the 29 individuals was cancelled and they were sent back to their state. He further said the Home Department has asked the district administration and the deputy labour commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry and initiate action against government functionaries responsible for the lapses. Meanwhile, the state-level review committee will comprise the commissioner of the home department, the chairman and representatives of UIDAI, and the chief electoral officer, among others. Direction has been issued to the committee to submit its report within 15 days. Asking people to cooperate with the committee, the chief minister said, “The state is currently grappling with a crisis that is a result of illegal immigration. In such a crucial time, we urge every section of the society to be sincere.”
