1. The Nagaland government enforces ILP in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland to tackle illegal immigration.
2. Decision made during a state cabinet meeting chaired by CM Neiphiu Rio.
3. Announcement made by state spokesperson and minister Temjen Imna Along.
Dimapur, Sep 12: The Nagaland government has decided to enforce the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland districts to address concerns over illegal immigration.
This decision was made during a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, as announced by state government spokesperson and minister Temjen Imna Along.
Previously, the ILP was not applicable in the Dimapur district, which was divided into three districts—Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland—in 2021. Dimapur and Niuland share an inter-state border with Assam, and the ILP is required for individuals who are not indigenous to the state to enter Nagaland.
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In Dimapur, there will be three categories of non-Naga residents under which the ILP requirements will differ. Category I includes individuals who settled in Dimapur before Nagaland’s formation on December 1, 1963. These residents will be eligible for smart cards and can obtain permanent residence certificates (PRC) and domicile certificates.
Category II pertains to those who settled in Dimapur between December 1, 1963, and November 21, 1979. They will also be eligible for PRCs with the option to obtain domicile certificates. Category III covers individuals who settled in Dimapur on or after November 22, 1979.
Minister Along stated that the government will enhance the digital system for ILP issuance to eliminate the need for intermediaries or visits to government offices. Additionally, certain groups, such as students, teachers, technical personnel, and businessmen investing in the state, will be eligible for ILPs for a 2-5 years duration.
Nagaland restricts the entry of non-Nagas under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act of 1873, aimed at preserving the identity and existence of the indigenous population. The ILP is mandatory for anyone, Indian citizens and foreigners alike, who are not indigenous to Nagaland, to enter the state for a limited period.
The demand for extending ILP to these three districts has grown due to concerns over the influx of illegal immigrants, especially in light of the political crisis in neighboring Bangladesh. Various tribal bodies and civil society organizations have supported this demand.
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) recently set a 14-day deadline for the government to implement ILP in the three districts, warning that any delay would be seen as a “failure” to protect the Naga people and a dereliction of the government’s duty.
