KOHIMA, December 5 (The New Indian Express): While neighbouring state Manipur is fighting a bitter battle for implementation of Inner Line Permit to prevent influx of ‘mainland Indians’, Nagaland, where the provisions of restricted entry of non-locals is already in place, has gone easy on the tourists regarding the mandatory permit needed to stay in the state.
“According to government orders, we are maintaining a bit leniency in checking ILP for tourists attending the Hornbill Festival. However, it is seen that many of the tourists already have procured ILP from Nagaland houses in Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi or Mumbai. However, to maintain a balance between increased inflow of tourists in the state during Hornbill Festival and Christmas and at the same time necessitating the requirement of ILP to stay for designated period in Nagaland, procedures for securing ILP has been made easier as well as checking for the same has been made lenient,” Thejavizo Nakhro, Extra Assistant Commissioner (Sadar), ILP department at Deputy Commissioner office in Nagaland, Head Office of issuance of ILP.
Meanwhile, several of the tourists were seen without the necessary permit either due to ignorance or lethargy. “I had heard about necessity of procuring ILP to enter and stay in Nagaland for a designated period of time. However, I have not yet got it done as I don’t have a local guarantor here in Nagaland and don’t know how to get it done. Anyways, if the police catches me, then I will have to make it anyways,” said Randip Singh from Delhi. “I thought if the police checks, I will tell I didn’t know about the necessity of ILP and will get it done in Deputy Commissioner Office in Kohima,” said Sourjya Ray, a frequent visitor to Nagaland.
Though the locals say police check tourists for ILP at the checkpoints on the highway from Dimapur to Kohima, bypassing the formalities are also not tough.
“Necessity of ILP depends on the contacts one outsider has with the local persons. Suppose one has contacts with a local, he can drive to Dimapur Airport and bring guests in the car. No policeman will ever stop a Naga,” said L Changsuba Jamir, a restaurant owner in Kohima’s Razhu Junction.
Stay without ILP can warranty a fine of Rs 1,000 or three months imprisonment or both. Comissioned during the British Rule, the Inner Line Permit, which is in place in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram prohibits plains people from entering the hills without the requisite permit. The move was brought about by the colonial rulers to prevent an influx of people from more populous plain areas to the hills, thus disturbing the demographic balance.
“Tourists will come and leave. What is more pressing for us is influx of illegal immigrants from other nations. Identifying them becomes all the more difficult as many of them have valid Indian nationality proof, which can be paid made paying a paltry sum,” Nakhro added.
