Imphal: A protest by students in Imphal demanding implementation of inner line permit took an ugly turn on Wednesday when one of them was allegedly killed in clashes between police and protesters.
An indefinite curfew has been imposed in Imphal following the clashes. The students want implementation of inner line permit which they claim will protect the state against an influx of outsiders. They say a legislation will check demographic imbalance in the state.
On Tuesday, a 19-hour general strike was called by the Joint Committee on Inner Line System (JCILS) demanding scrapping of a bill on migrant workers and passing a new one to save the interests of indigenous people.
Normal life was hit across the state with inter-state and intra-state bus services, taxis and private vehicles remaining off the roads and schools, colleges and business establishments remaining closed.
The Committee had said the Manipur Regulation of Visitors Tenant and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 was passed during the Budget session of the Assembly without taking into consideration its five-point suggestion and allowed migrants to work in the state.
The Bill was yet to get the nod of the state Governor and JCILS had held frequent protests during the ongoing Assembly session.
JCILS convenor Khomdram Ratan had said the government was betraying" the people by passing the legislation.
"People's aspirations have not been fulfilled as the bill serves to protect migrant workers who come to the state for permanent settlement.
"Moreover, the government did not include the recommendations of the all political parties committee formed before introducing the bill, nor our five-point demand," he had said.
(With additional information from PTI)
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