Growing Problem of Illegal Immigration

On the 25th of May, 2023, I filed an RTI through the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, seeking information mainly on; Criteria for issue of ILP, the total number of ILP holders currently residing in Mokokchung District, total number of fresh ILP issued during the Financial Year 2022-23 and the total revenue generated through fresh issue and renewal of ILP during the Financial Year 2022-23. I received a reply from the office of the PIO and as per the information provided vide letter no NO.JUD-50/2020/103, Dated, Mokokchung the 12th June 2023, it was stated that approximately 2000 current ILP holders currently reside in Mokokchung and the total revenue generated during the Financial Year 2022-23 is INR 2,45,525/- (Rupees Two Lakhs Forty Five Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Five). As I was not satisfied with the approximate estimation of the total number of ILP holders, I filed for a second RTI on 23/08/2023, seeking detailed State-wise name and full address of the 2000 ILP holders and the photocopies of treasury challan submitted against the revenue of INR 2,45,525/- generated during the financial year 2022-23. I received the reply for my RTI along with a package containing the details I asked for vide letter no NO.JUD-50/2020/302, Dated, Mokokchung the 21th September 2023. Upon closer examination of the documents provided, I found that only the details of 1588 ILP holders were furnished and the details of 412 individuals were missing. Of the documents on treasury challan provided, the deposit challan for the amount of INR 39,743/- was missing. I am therefore forced to apply RTI on the same matter for the third time, the details of which are furnished below.

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The problem of illegal immigration is a growing concern in our state and looking at the growing trend, it is set to become worse in the foreseeable future. It is of my opinion that the District Administration is solely responsible to keep track of exactly how many individuals are entering/leaving the district especially when it comes to the issue of ILP. It is therefore disheartening to see that the concerned Administration currently cannot keep track of and furnish exact details on such a concerning matter. This lackadaisical attitude will only aggravate the matter in the long run. A case study of our neighbouring state Tripura gives us a clear picture of our impending future. This matter of illegal immigration is of concern not only for Mokokchung District but Nagaland as a whole. I therefore would urge all the right-thinking citizens and Civil Societies to take this matter seriously and encourage their respective District Administrations to take up this matter seriously if we want to maintain the social integrity of Nagaland for the generations to come.

Bendang Imsong

Social Activist Mokokchung