The New Field Gate at the Assam-Nagaland border in Dimapur, a key entry point to the State. The implementation of ILP in Dimapur and surrounding districts remains a major challenge. (Morung File Photo)
Kohima, May 15 (MExN): The Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), while welcoming the Cabinet’s decision to set up an Enforcement Directorate for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), has called for substantive follow-through action.
The State Cabinet reportedly took the decision during its meeting on May 14 for stricter implementation of the ILP in Nagaland.
The NSF-ILRC also appreciated what it described as the State Government’s “honesty” in admitting its failure to enforce the ILP as effectively as neighbouring states, particularly Mizoram.
At the same time, it reiterated that the memorandum submitted to the Chief Secretary on April 10, 2025, by the ILRC and NSF is clear and urgent, and needs to be addressed without further delay.
Further, the Commission stated that the decision to visit neighbouring states under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873 may result in unnecessary expenditure of time and resources, pointing out that the visit conducted by the Kesonyu Committee in 2017 was “more than sufficient.”
The recommendations provided by the Committee were highly valuable and practical, and had the government of the day taken them seriously and implemented those points, much progress would have been made, it held.
The Alemtemshi Committee (2007) and the Senti Yanger Committee (2015) also submitted elaborate and well-considered recommendations, which were unfortunately shelved immediately upon submission, the Commission further noted.
Anyone reviewing those reports would recognise the seriousness and extensive effort invested by the respective committees, the NSF-ILRC contended, questioning whether the State Government’s seriousness is merely confined to words and paper.
Despite past precedents of forming committees and making public announcements without substantive follow-through, it added.
Nevertheless, the NSF and ILRC expressed hope that the May 14 decision marks a turning point and urged the government to demonstrate strong political will and take concrete action towards the enforcement of the provisions of the BEFR, 1873.
