Imphal, Aug. 26: The Manipur government clinched a midnight pact with the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System, a citizen's conglomerate, on framing a legislation to safeguard the interest of indigenous people, raising hopes of an early solution to the ILP issue.

Chief secretary P.C. Lawmkunga and eight members of the committee, led by its convener-in-charge Khomdram Ratan, signed the agreement soon after midnight last night after a nearly nine-hour dialogue at chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh's office.

The government committed to pass the Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, 2015, and amend the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act and the Manipur Shop and Establishments Act to protect the interest of the indigenous people.

It assured the committee that the bill and the two amendments would be introduced in the Assembly and passed as soon as possible.

For this, the government has decided to convene a two-day special session of the Assembly, beginning Friday.

The government also agreed to set up Manipur State Population Commission to study demographic imbalance in the state and publish a white paper on influx within a year.

It proposed to constitute the Manipur State Land Reforms Commission to review land use situation in the state and recommend effective land use policies.

The agreement raises hope of finally resolving the issue of ILP, which has been rocking the state for the past two months and throwing life out of gear.

The movement for ILP or a similar legislation is being spearheaded by the joint committee on ILPS. The campaign has evoked mass support, particularly in the valley.

During the movement, Manipur witnessed street clashes between the police and ILP supporters, resulting in the death of a Class XI student, Sapam Robinhood, and injuries to more than a hundred persons.

The family is yet to accept Robinhood's body, which is lying at a mortuary here.

Despite the government's assurances, protesters continued hunger strikes and sit-ins today at various places in the four valley districts.

People also took out torch rallies in several localities last night.

Ratan said they would call off their agitation only after the bills are passed.

Official sources hoped that as an agreement was signed between the government and the joint committee, violence would not erupt again.

"The government's intention on fulfilling the points in the agreement is very clear and it was made known to the joint committee last night. We are hoping that normalcy will return very soon in the state," an official source said today.

Before the talks began yesterday, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam sought the cooperation of the joint committee and the people in finding a solution to the ILP issue.

The government started working on a bill to protect the indigenous people after the Centre rejected two Assembly resolutions urging the Centre to implement ILP in Manipur.