Imphal: The Manipur government is working on constituting a consultative committee to examine a demand by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit (ILP) System to introduce and pass a bill during the Assembly's winter session which will begin from December 20.

The joint committee, a citizens' conglomerate, is spearheading a campaign demanding a legislation on the lines of the ILP for safeguarding the interests of local people from "unchecked" population influx.

A delegation of the joint committee had submitted a memorandum to chief minister N. Biren Singh on December 4, demaning passing of the bill.

The committee warned of an agitation if the state government failed to announce its stand by December 13on the demand for passing ILP Bill in the winter session. Biren Singh had assured the delegation that he would look into their demands.

"As promised by the chief minister, the memorandum is under consideration of the government. The state government is also working on constituting a consultative committee of all stakeholders to examine the proposal for passing an ILP Bill," an official source said.

Sources said the consultative committee may include leaders of different communities, particularly the three major communities - Naga, Kuki and Meitei. It may also include legal experts.

The erstwhile government had passed three bills - Protection of Manipur People Bill, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill in 2015. The bills were passed following intense campaigning by the joint committee.

However, the indigenous community in Churachandpur district launched a violent agitation, terming the bills "anti-tribal".

The then President Pranab Mukherjee had rejected the Protection of Manipur People Bill. The two other bills are awaiting presidential assent.

"The chief minister does not want another round of protests after passing another bill. He wants a consensus," the official said.