ILP regime: Nagaland Law Students’ Federation calls for single cut-off date

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) has expressed objection to the state government’s decision to enforce Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime in Dimapur, Niuland and Chümoukedima districts by providing special privileges to two categories of individuals who had settled in the state prior to 1963 and in between 1963 and 1979.

In a press release issued on Saturday, the federation contended that nowhere in the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873 is the word ‘Permit’ mentioned. It stated that only the word ‘Pass’ has been used in it “and there is a complete difference between the word Pass and Permit”.

“Now with the world becoming globalised, we would not like to insist strictly on using the word Pass instead of Permit, however for safeguarding the interest of present and for posterity to come, the NLSF would like to sternly oppose the Nagaland government decision to implement ILP giving special privileges to two categories of individuals who settled prior to 1963 and in between 1963 and 1979.

“For the record, if ILP as provided in the BEFR, 1873 is to be enforced strictly, then the question of the Statehood of Nagaland (1963) does not arise; however, for proper coordination and development of the State, the year 1963 may be decided as the cut-off year for enforcing ILP and NLSF fully appreciates the wisdom and decision of the Government of Nagaland in this regard,” it stated.

However, the NLSF questioned the logic behind the “second cut-off year” of 1979.

“It is true that the district of Dimapur was not declared as tribal area till 1979, however it was also no foreign land but an integral part of the state of Nagaland even before 1979 and it is very much the responsibility of the state government to safeguard and protect the people and the land of the state of Nagaland without the need of any pressure groups pressurising it for such noble duty,” it maintained.

According to the federation, the indigenous citizens of Nagaland face the high prospect of being overrun by people from neighbouring states/countries if proper mechanisms are not implemented by the state government.

“Therefore now the onus lies in the wisdom and competency of the government of Nagaland to safeguard and protect the interest, identity, culture, land and resources of our state by reconsidering the decision of the (state) cabinet on September 11, 2024 and thereby ensure ILP cut-off year as only 1963,” it stated.

Further, the NLSF stressed the importance of not issuing the ILP cards “randomly”. It suggested that “tourism business (capability to contribute and uplift the state) and construction workers (skilled mason) must be the only criteria for issuing ILP with strict time limit”.

It also urged the Nagaland government to strictly monitor the weekly bazaars in town as well as in the peripheries of Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland and some other districts “where accessibility is easier” for “illegal immigrants”.