Women activists try to storm BJP, Congress offices

Imphal, May 8: Women activists on Sunday tried to storm the offices of the ruling Congress and the BJP here in Manipur demanding to know the two parties’ stand on the Inner Line Permit (ILP) row.

Police in riot gear dispersed the members of the women’s wing of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) after preventing them from entering the party offices.

Traffic was disrupted in Imphal for hours because of the protest. The JCILPS had said that all political parties in the state should make their stand vis-a-vis the ILP clear on or before May 8. Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei recently said the Congress was working to protect the indigenous people. “We are not saying that the migrant workers should be deported from Manipur. But as per law all the migrant workers should obtain work permits and possess valid identity cards,” an activist said. The Communist Party of India, tiolist Congress Party, Manipur People’s Party, Trimool Congress and others have announced support to the JCILPS movement. Another party which has refused to make its stand clear is the ga People’s Front, which has four members in the 60-member Manipur assembly. (IANS)