Morung Express News
Kohima | September 12
In a significant decision, the Nagaland Cabinet has approved the ‘re-implementation’ of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in three districts viz. Chümoukedima, Niuland, and Dimapur districts.
This was informed by the government spokespersons, Minister Temjen Imna Along and CL John following a State Cabinet meeting held here today.
Addressing media at his office at the Nagaland Secretariat, Imna Along, who is also the Nagaland Minister of Higher Education & Tourism, stated that the move is aimed at regulating the entry and settlement of non-locals,
Three categories
He highlighted the ‘specific’ guidelines for various categories requiring ILP and exemption, particularly for Dimapur district.
Those individuals settled in Dimapur before December 1, 1963 come under Category-I, the Minister elaborated, and informed that the department will work towards providing them with Smart Card facility with the option to obtain Permanent Residence Certificates (PRC) and Domicile Certificates (DC).
Category-II are those individuals settled between December 1, 1963, and November 21, 1979, who will be provided with a PRC with the option to avail DC.
No ILP will be required for those in Category I & II.
Category-III, Temjen Imna Along noted, relates to those individuals who are settled in Dimapur on or after November 22, 1979, and they will need to follow the standard ILP process.
The Cabinet also decided that certain categories, such as students, teachers, technical personnel, and business partners investing in Nagaland should be provided ILPs with duration of 2-5 years at a time, he added.
To this end, it was informed that the government will strengthen the digital system for issuance of ILP.
The issue of bringing Dimapur and adjoining districts of Chümoukedima and Niuland, has gained momentum in recent times, particularly following the political turmoil in Bangladesh with fear of the influx of “illegal migrants” into the State.
On September 5, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has served a 14-day deadline on the State Government to implement the ILP the three districts.
It must be noted here that on December 9, 2019, the State Government notified extension the ILP to cover the entire District of then-undivided Dimapur.
However, the NSF recently maintained the State Government had issued a “suspension order” on June 2, 2023, thereby nullifying the extension.
Regulated under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873, any non-indigenous individual must obtain an ILP to enter the State for a specific period, as determined by the State Government.
The BEFR 1873 is officially described as a mechanism to “protect and safeguard the identity and existence of the indigenous people of Nagaland.”
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