Bills passed amid agitations

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, July 23, 2018: Monsoon session of  11th Manipur state Assembly ended today amid protests by students and civil society organisations passing Manipur Peoples’ Bill, 2018 and Manipur International University Bill, 2018.

The Manipur Peoples Protection Bill, 2018 (Bill No. 10 of 2018) as reported by the Hill Areas Committee was passed unanimously by the house. The bill was introduced by leader of the House and CM N. Biren on Friday, was referred to the Hills Areas Committee for consideration. Prior to passing of the Bill, the committee has presented its report on the Bill in the morning session.

The Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Second amendment) Bill, 2018 (Bill No. 9 of 2018) which was moved by deputy chief minister (in-charge of Excise) Y. Joykumar Singh was  referred to Select Committee which would comprise of Law minister L. Jayantakumar as chairman and two members each from the Ruling and Opposition parties.

The House also unanimously passed the Manipur International University Bill, 2018 (Bill No. 8 of 2018) which was introduced by Education Minister Th. Radheshyam on July 20.

The two-day monsoon session began on July 20 and concluded on Monday. The three bills were introduced in the House on the first day of the session.

The House resolved to withdraw two Bills namely, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 which were passed by the House on August 31, 2015. The two resolutions were moved by Biren.

All Manipur Women’s Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj), and Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol protested at Kangla road demanding to withdraw the Liquor Prohibition (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 which aimed to legalise country liquor production in the state.

Socialist Students’ Union Manipur and women vendor of Khwairamband bazar took out rally demanding to pass a bill to protect indigenous people from influx of outsiders. They confronted with the police who were barricading the way to state Assembly.

These group demanded to decide in the assembly session the Manipur border before national survey team arrives, and ouster of Manipur University vice-chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey.

They opposed against proposed bill for legalizing liquor production in Manipur.

They also demanded transparency in administration of education department and justice to weight lifter Sanjita Khumukcham over doping charge.

In connection with the demand for ouster of Pandey from the post of vice-chancellor volunteers students organisations attempted to storm the Assembly from different quarters along the DM College road and Khoyathong area.

Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the agitating students who pelted stones to the police. The confrontation began as the assembly session began and lasted till the session ended in the late afternoon.

District magistrate Imphal West and Imphal East imposed restriction of movement of people under section144 Cr.P.C., 1973 in the areas situated in the radius of 500 meter of Manipur Assembly in both the districts. It restricts on assemble of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful. It prohibits carrying sticks, stones, firearms or weapons of any other description or objects which can be used as an offensive weapon.