By - Moa Jamir
The implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Nagaland, particularly in the erstwhile Dimapur district comprising Chümoukedima and Niuland, continues to stir debate. At its core lies the challenge of balancing indigenous rights with administrative feasibility and economic necessity.
The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, applicable in the Naga Hills since colonial era, “requires anyone, both Indian and Foreigner, who is not an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland, to obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP), in such form and with such conditions as may be prescribed by the Government of Nagaland, to enter the state of Nagaland for a limited period.” While aimed at safeguarding local demography from unchecked influx, ILP enforcement across the State, at best, has remained lax. In Dimapur and adjoining areas, where commercial activity and migration are highest, its implementation has long been contested.
Nonetheless, the State Government appears determined to streamline and enforce ILP more rigorously amid concerns over growing undocumented migration and unauthorised residency. These steps are timely but not without complications. The lack of strong enforcement mechanisms, technical capacity, and community engagement risks perpetuating inconsistent application, breeding confusion and resentment.
Recent developments reflect some course correction. The State Cabinet’s June 12 directives, ranging from widening ILP registration categories to allowing offline issuance until the introduction of Smart Cards, indicate the Government is listening. Newly added categories include drivers, lawyers, architects, skilled professionals, housewives, unemployed individuals, tenants, and private sector employees, among others.
Equally important are proposals to involve landlords, employers, and village councils in the verification process and revenue-sharing formula further reflects an attempt at administrative balance.
However, these policy shifts also signal trade-offs. Provisions such as employer certification, temporary work permits for floating populations, and accommodation of dependents and private employees reflect the tension between regulatory control and economic continuity. In districts like Dimapur, where migrant labour is critical for essential services, rigid enforcement risks triggering informal arrangements and shortages. This concern is echoed recently by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), which has advocated for offline access, reduced fees, and a grace period for compliance, among others.
There is also the issue of enforcement clarity. A recent Nagaland Police statement noted that while its personnel can conduct ILP checks, they are not authorised to impose fines; only magistrates can. This raises a critical question: who can take immediate action when violations are detected? Should violators be detained or turned back? Both scenarios present logistical and legal challenges. The lack of a clear enforcement framework could lead to administrative paralysis or ad-hoc actions that undermine rule of law. Hence, clear delineation of responsibilities is essential to prevent confusion and ensure accountability.
Unchecked migration undoubtedly presents demographic and cultural challenges for Nagaland’s small indigenous population. However, the ILP must remain true to its original intent—a regulatory mechanism to safeguard indigenous identity, not a political tool or a means of economic extraction. Its primary purpose should be to protect the rights of indigenous communities while remaining sensitive to the legitimate economic and other concerns.
Achieving this requires a robust, transparent system grounded in community verification, accessible procedures, and a clearly defined grievance redressal mechanism. Crucially, Laws, however well-drafted, are only as effective as their implementation the Government must move beyond policy declarations and strengthen the operational backbone of the ILP system to ensure it functions effectively on the ground by protecting what it is meant to, without inflicting unintended harm.
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