Zeneisülie Ate Loucü
New Delhi
Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain a permit for entering into the protected state. This is an offshoot of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873,11] which protected Crown's interest in the tea, oil and elephant trade by prohibiting "British subjects" from entering into these "Protected Areas" (to prevent them from establishing any commercial venture that could rival the Crown's agents). The word "British subjects" was replaced by Citizen of India in 1950. Inner Line Permit (ILP) continues to be used in India. There are different kinds of ILP's, one for tourists and others for people who intend to stay for long-term periods, often for employment purposes.
Dimapur, Nagaland's largest city and porthead, is the only place in the state which does not require an ILP, and Indians arriving by air at Dimapur Airport can arrive and stay in the city without one. The Nagaland Government has made no demand for the introduction of ILP in Dimapur.
Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, all areas falling between the inner line and the International Border of some states were declared as protected areas.
As per a December 30, 2010 circular of the ministry, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland were excluded from the Protected area regime for a period of one year from January 1, 2011, subject to some conditions.
The home ministry has relaxed the six-decade-old Protected Area Permit from Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur for five years with effect from April 1, 2018.
Foreigners can now travel to Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur without a permit.
Citizens from China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, however continued to be banned from all PAP areas, including Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
Government Act Article 371A in The Constitution Of India 1949 Naga public notification has not done away the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873,11(The word "British subjects" was replaced by Citizen of India in 1950 ILP), Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958.
Therefore State Cabinet reaffirms Article 371A, ILP defence is something to ponder and is highly questionable.
